Maternal uterine natural killer cells nurture fetal growth: in medio stat virtus

Trends Mol Med. 2015 Feb;21(2):60-7. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2014.12.009. Epub 2015 Jan 22.

Abstract

Much research in reproductive immunology is preoccupied with maternal tolerance of the semi-allogeneic fetus. This inevitably leads to the assumption that the maternal immune system should be suppressed, similarly to the immunosuppression needed to avoid rejection of an allograft. However, the parallels with transplantation immunology are misleading, and we discuss how interactions between variable immune system genes expressed on maternal natural killer (NK) cells and on the fetal trophoblast modulate fetal growth. Exaggerated suppression or activation of maternal NK cells associates with both extremes of birth weight.

Keywords: allorecognition; fetal growth; maternal tolerance; uterine natural killer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fetal Development*
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange
  • Pregnancy / genetics
  • Pregnancy / immunology*
  • Trophoblasts / immunology
  • Uterus / immunology*