1. CD56+ Cells are Recruited to the Uterus in Two Waves: at Ovulation and During the First 2 Weeks after Missed Menses.
- Author
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Van den Heuvel, Marianne J., Hatta, Kota, G. Peralta, Crystal, Han, Victor K., and Clark, David A.
- Subjects
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KILLER cells , *PREGNANCY , *UTERUS , *HUMAN fertility , *OVULATION - Abstract
Problem Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are enriched in the post-ovulatory uterus and during pregnancy. Whether these cells arise from blood pre-cursors or from stem cells in the uterus is undefined. To support a hypothesis that precursors of uNK cells are recruited from blood, adhesive function of blood CD56+ subsets were assessed during one cycle and during pregnancy. Method of study Fifteen women of proven fertility provided serial blood samples during one menstrual cycle and thirty women with a history of implantation failure or recurrent spontaneous abortion provided serial samples during infertility treatment. Results CD56bright cells, but not CD56dim cells or NKT cells, increased in ligand-binding capacity during ovulation in fertile cycles only and during the first 2 weeks from date of missed menses. Conclusion Enhanced adhesive function at ovulation in CD56bright cells in fertile cycles and during early gestation supports a hypothesis of recruitment of pre-uNK cells from the blood CD56bright subset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
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