Pregnancy-Induced Alterations in NK Cell Phenotype and Function.

ABSTRACT: Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to complications of influenza A virus infection, which may result from pregnancy-induced changes in the function of immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells. To better understand NK cell function during pregnancy, we assessed the ability of the two main subsets of NK cells, CD56^dim, and CD56^bright NK cells, to respond to influenza-virus infected cells and tumor cells. During pregnancy, CD56^dim and CD56^bright NK cells displayed enhanced functional responses to both infected and tumor cells, with increased expression of degranulation markers and elevated frequency of NK cells producing IFN-γ. To better understand the mechanisms driving this enhanced function, we profiled CD56^dim and CD

SUBMITTER: Le Gars M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6820503 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature