Functional role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in human early pregnancy decidua
GE Lash, SC Robson, JN Bulmer - Placenta, 2010 - Elsevier
Leukocytes comprise approximately 30–40% of decidual stromal cells in early human
pregnancy. The major leukocyte component is the uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Despite
over 20 years of research the functional role of these cells in situ remains unknown although
they have been proposed to play roles in immunotolerance, regulation of trophoblast
invasion and remodeling of the spiral arteries. Herein we review the functional roles of this
important decidual cell type.
pregnancy. The major leukocyte component is the uterine natural killer (uNK) cells. Despite
over 20 years of research the functional role of these cells in situ remains unknown although
they have been proposed to play roles in immunotolerance, regulation of trophoblast
invasion and remodeling of the spiral arteries. Herein we review the functional roles of this
important decidual cell type.