Year: 2014
Type: review
Abstract: Precise and local control of the innate immune system within the placenta is an essential component for achieving a normal and healthy pregnancy. One of the most abundant immune cells of the placenta is a subpopulation of natural killer (NK) cells that profusely populates the uterine decidua during early pregnancy. Uterine NK (uNK) cells and trophoblast cells of the placenta communicate both directly and indirectly to contribute to the critical process of spiral artery remodeling. Here, we discuss recent findings that expand our knowledge of uNK cell-trophoblast cell crosstalk and the important role it plays in the maternal vascular adaptation to pregnancy.
Authors: Brooke C. Matson, Kathleen M. Caron
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1977328847