The central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease that is unique to pregnancy and affects multiple systems. It can lead to maternal and perinatal mortality. The precise etiology of PE is unclear. Patients with PE may have systemic or local immune abnormalities. A group of researchers has proposed that the immune commu...

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Main Authors: Xiaoqi Wei, Xiuhua Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1009867/full
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author Xiaoqi Wei
Xiuhua Yang
author_facet Xiaoqi Wei
Xiuhua Yang
author_sort Xiaoqi Wei
collection DOAJ
description Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease that is unique to pregnancy and affects multiple systems. It can lead to maternal and perinatal mortality. The precise etiology of PE is unclear. Patients with PE may have systemic or local immune abnormalities. A group of researchers has proposed that the immune communication between the fetus and mother is primarily moderated by natural killer (NK) cells as opposed to T cells, since NK cells are the most abundant immune cells in the uterus. This review examines the immunological roles of NK cells in the pathogenesis of PE. Our aim is to provide obstetricians with a comprehensive and updated research progress report on NK cells in PE patients. It has been reported that decidual NK (dNK) cells contribute to the process of uterine spiral artery remodeling and can modulate trophoblast invasion. Additionally, dNK cells can stimulate fetal growth and regulate delivery. It appears that the count or proportion of circulating NK cells is elevated in patients with or at risk for PE. Changes in the number or function of dNK cells may be the cause of PE. The Th1/Th2 equilibrium in PE has gradually shifted to an NK1/NK2 equilibrium based on cytokine production. An improper combination of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C may lead to insufficient activation of dNK cells, thereby causing PE. In the etiology of PE, NK cells appear to exert a central effect in both peripheral blood and the maternal-fetal interface. To maintain immune equilibrium both locally and systemically, it is necessary to take therapeutic measures directed at NK cells.
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spelling doaj.art-4b91758b74054b4c9d650fe689ff0e322023-02-14T19:53:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242023-02-011410.3389/fimmu.2023.10098671009867The central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsiaXiaoqi WeiXiuhua YangPreeclampsia (PE) is a disease that is unique to pregnancy and affects multiple systems. It can lead to maternal and perinatal mortality. The precise etiology of PE is unclear. Patients with PE may have systemic or local immune abnormalities. A group of researchers has proposed that the immune communication between the fetus and mother is primarily moderated by natural killer (NK) cells as opposed to T cells, since NK cells are the most abundant immune cells in the uterus. This review examines the immunological roles of NK cells in the pathogenesis of PE. Our aim is to provide obstetricians with a comprehensive and updated research progress report on NK cells in PE patients. It has been reported that decidual NK (dNK) cells contribute to the process of uterine spiral artery remodeling and can modulate trophoblast invasion. Additionally, dNK cells can stimulate fetal growth and regulate delivery. It appears that the count or proportion of circulating NK cells is elevated in patients with or at risk for PE. Changes in the number or function of dNK cells may be the cause of PE. The Th1/Th2 equilibrium in PE has gradually shifted to an NK1/NK2 equilibrium based on cytokine production. An improper combination of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-C may lead to insufficient activation of dNK cells, thereby causing PE. In the etiology of PE, NK cells appear to exert a central effect in both peripheral blood and the maternal-fetal interface. To maintain immune equilibrium both locally and systemically, it is necessary to take therapeutic measures directed at NK cells.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1009867/fullpreeclampsiaNK cellspregnancyimmuneplacenta
spellingShingle Xiaoqi Wei
Xiuhua Yang
The central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsia
Frontiers in Immunology
preeclampsia
NK cells
pregnancy
immune
placenta
title The central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsia
title_full The central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsia
title_fullStr The central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsia
title_full_unstemmed The central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsia
title_short The central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsia
title_sort central role of natural killer cells in preeclampsia
topic preeclampsia
NK cells
pregnancy
immune
placenta
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1009867/full
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