Contribution of the NKG2D receptor to murine placental development

Peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells control viral infections and cancer by their cytotoxic ability. In contrast, uterine NK (uNK) cells, which comprise 70% of leukocytes at the murine fetomaternal interface, have enhanced cytokine-producing ability and play an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy. NKG2D is a major activating receptor of NK cells. Stimulation of uNK cells in vitro by NKG2D ligands expressed on decidual stromal cells and trophoblasts leads to production of various cytokines by uNK cells; however, in vivo contribution of NKG2D ligand–receptor interactions to placental development is poorly understood.
Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Source Type: research