In primates, including @entity1 , and in rodents, natural killer lymphocytes (NK cells) have a unique relationship with the decidualizing uterus. Implantation sites from genetically modified and transplanted @entity19 have proven useful models for understanding potential mechanisms involved in the recruitment, activation and functions of @entity1 @entity2940 (bright) uterine (u)NK cells. Key findings are reviewed in this article. In @entity19 , @entity70367 precursor cells are recruited from secondary lymphoid tissues and are activated coincident with their uterine arrival. @entity70367 cells proliferate, produce cytokines ( @entity60 ) and @entity6026 ( @entity6026 ) and @entity22385 ), and terminally differentiate into granulated lymphocytes. Many @entity70367 cells proliferate within the myometrium at each implantation site forming a structure, the mesometrial lymphoid aggregate of pregnancy (MLAp) that surrounds blood vessels servicing each placenta. Post-mitotic @entity70367 cells are abundant within decidua basalis; frequently (<25%) associating with spiral arteries, intramurally and intraluminally. From mid-gestation, numbers of @entity70367 cells decline. Studies of implantation sites in @entity19 lacking @entity70367 cells, @entity60 , components of @entity60 -induction and -signalling pathways or @entity60 -regulated genes indicate that @entity70367 cell-derived @entity60 is essential in triggering pregnancy-induced spiral artery modification. Decidual maintenance and @entity70367 cell death are additional effects of @entity70367 cell-derived @entity60 . Thus, during the first half of gestation, @entity70367 cells contribute to and sustain important changes in the maternal placental bed.

Uterine natural killer cells: insights into their cellular and molecular biology from XXXX modelling.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'human'] @entity70367 :: ('217331(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['uNK'] @entity2940 :: ('4684', 'Gene') :: ['CD56'] @entity6026 :: ('16173(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['interleukin 18', 'IL-18'] @entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mice'] @entity60 :: ('15978(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['IFN-gamma', 'interferon gamma (IFN-gamma'] @entity22385 :: ('246779(Tax:10090)', 'Gene') :: ['IL-27']
@entity19 :: (10090,Species) :: ['mouse']
