ScienceAsia 49 (2023): 469-476 |doi:
10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2023.032
Exploiting the significance of uterine natural killer cells in
pregnancy
Tarique Hussaina,*, Ghulam Murtazab, Dildar Hussain Kalhoroc, Muhammad Saleem Kalhorod, Muhammad Ismail Chughtaia, Anjaleena Yaseena
ABSTRACT: Pregnancy is a complex physiological phenomenon involving maternal-fetal communication. Uterine
natural killer (uNK) cells established a profound lymphocyte population in the early pregnant uterus. These cells
are closely linked with extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and spiral arteries and play a vital role in remodeling spiral
arteries, trophoblast invasion and placental development. The uNK cells are the potent releasers of cytokines and
growth factors; with close association to EVTs in the maternal-fetal interface, it drives an essential function in the
trophoblast. At present, limited studies are available explaining the significance of uNK cells in normal pregnancy and
pregnancy-associated problems. This review article elucidates the descriptive role of uNK cells in pregnancy problems
and their crosstalk with other immune cell components. Moreover, we will also discuss whether uNK cells become a
threat to pregnancy with clinical evidence.
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| a |
Animal Sciences Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering
and Applied Sciences (NIAB-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad 38000 Pakistan |
| b |
Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture
University, Tandojam, Sindh 70050 Pakistan |
| c |
Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture
University, Tandojam, Sindh 70050 Pakistan |
| d |
Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok 12120 Thailand |
* Corresponding author, E-mail: drtariquerahoo@gmail.com
Received 10 Feb 2023, Accepted 0 0000
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