Number and function of uterine natural killer cells in recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Uterine natural killer cells (uNK) are the most abundant lymphocytes found in the decidua during implantation and in first trimester pregnancy. They are important for early placental development, especially trophoblast invasion and transformation of the spiral arteries. However, inappropriate uNK function has been implicated in reproductive failure, such as recurrent miscarriage (RM) or recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Previous studies have mainly focussed on peripheral NK cells (pNK), despite the well-documented differences in pNK and uNK phenotype and function. In recent years, there has been an explosion of studies conducted on uNK, providing a more suitable representation of the immune environment at the maternal-foetal interface. Here, we summarize the evidence

SUBMITTER: Von Woon E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9247428 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature