Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to compare the CD57+ Natural Killer (NK) cell counts in normal pregnancies and in cases grouped according to different types of early pregnancy failure.
Materials and methods
A prospective case control study which was set in Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. A total of 119 women whose pregnancies ended in the first trimester were divided into elective pregnancy termination, incomplete miscarriage, intrauterine demise, ectopic pregnancy and recurrent pregnancy loss groups. CD57+ NK cells were stained and counted in the histologic preparations of the decidua in all of these groups.
Results
CD57+ NK cell counts were 2.14 ± 1.42 in control, 2.24 ± 1.92 in incomplete miscarriage, 1.82 ± 1.34 in intrauterine demise, 2.54 ± 1.80 in ectopic pregnancy and 3.42 ± 2.15 in recurrent pregnancy failure group. There were no statistically significant differences between the control group and the other four groups with respect to the CD57+ NK cell counts.
Conclusion
This study suggests that CD57+ NK cell count is not associated with early pregnancy failure.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lobo SC, Huang SJ, Germeyer A et al (2004) The immune environment in the human endometrium during the window of implantation. Am J Reprod Immunol 52:244–251
Michel MZ, Khong TY, Clark DA, Beard RW (1990) A morphological and immunological study of human placental bed biopsies in miscarriage. Br J Obstet Gynecol 97:984–988
Quack KC, Vassiliadou N, Pudney J, Anderson DJ, Hill AJ (2001) Leukocyte activation in the decidua of chromosomally normal and abnormal fetuses from women with recurrent abortion. Hum Reprod 16(5):949–955
Sargent IL, Borzychowski AM, Redman CWG (2006) NK cells and human pregnancy—an inflammatory view. Trends Immunol 27(9):399–404
Dossiou C, Giudice LC (2005) Natural Killer cells in pregnancy and recurrent pregnancy loss: endocrine and immunologic perspectives. Endocr Rev 26(1):44–62
Rai R, Sacks G, Trew G (2005) Natural Killer cells and reproductive failure-theory, practice and prejudice. Hum Reprod 20(5):1123–1126
Abo T, Balch CM (1981) A differentiation antigen of human NK and K cells identified by a monoclonal antibody (HNK-1). J Immunol 127:1024–1029
Winger EE (2007) CD57+ cells and recurrent spontaneous abortion. Am J Reprod Immunol 58:311–314
Saito S (2000) Cytokine network at the feto-maternal interface. J Reprod Immunol 47:87–103
Vassiliadou N, Bulmer JN (1996) Immunohistochemical evidence for increased numbers of ‘classic’ CD57+ natural killer cells in the endometrium of women suffering spontaneous early pregnancy loss. Hum Reprod 11:1569–1574
Eriksson M, Meadows SK, Wira CR, Sentman CL (2004) Unique phenotype of human uterine NK cells and their regulation by endogenous TGF-β. J Leukoc Biol 76:1–9
Quenby S, Bates M, Doig T, Brewster J, Lewis-Jones DI, Johnson PM, Vince G (1999) Preimplantation endometrial leukocytes in women with recurrent miscarriage. Hum Reprod 14:2386–2391
Conflicts of interest
No author of the current work has a personal or financial relationship that could inappropriately influence (bias) his or her actions or the writing of this manuscript, and no financial or other potential conflicts of interest exist (includes involvement with any organization with a direct financial, intellectual, or other interest in the subject of the manuscript) regarding the manuscript. There are no grants or sources of financial support related to the topic or topics of the manuscript to be reported.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This study was supported by Baskent University Grant KA06/238 after Institutional Review Board Approval.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ozcimen, E.E., Kiyici, H., Uckuyu, A. et al. Are CD57+ Natural Killer cells really important in early pregnancy failure?. Arch Gynecol Obstet 279, 493–497 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-008-0736-y
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-008-0736-y