Expression of angiogenic growth factors by uterine natural killer cells during early pregnancy.

Full Abstract

Remodeling of uterine spiral arteries is critical for the continuation of a successful pregnancy. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are the predominant leukocyte population in the early pregnant decidua, and a role for these cells in spiral artery remodeling in pregnancy has been suggested. Angiogenic growth factors were measured in isolated uNK and total (unseparated) decidual cells (8-10 or 12-14 weeks gestation, n=5 each gestational age) after culture for 48 h. Angiopoietin (Ang)1, placental growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Angiogenin, Ang2, fibroblast growth factor basic, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), platelet-derived growth factor-BB, and VEGF-A were measured using a FASTQuant angiogenic growth factor multiplex protein assay. Levels of Ang2, ICAM-1, and KGF, secreted by the total decidual fraction, decreased with increasing gestational age. uNK levels of Ang2 and VEGF-C also decreased with increasing gestational age. At 8-10 weeks gestation, there was no difference in the level of Ang1, Ang2, TGF-beta1, and VEGF-C secreted by uNK cells and the total decidual fraction. At 12-14 weeks, uNK cells secreted significantly lower levels of VEGF-C than the total decidual fraction. Early pregnancy decidua is a major source of angiogenic growth factors whose levels decrease with increasing gestational age, suggesting that they may play a role in spiral artery remodeling. uNK cells appear to be a prominent source of Ang1, Ang2, TGF-beta1, and VEGF-C within the placental bed.

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Author information

Author/s: Lash, Gendie E (GE); Schiessl, Barbara (B); Kirkley, Maureen (M); Innes, Barbara A (BA); Cooper, Alix (A); Searle, Roger F (RF); Robson, Stephen C (SC); Bulmer, Judith N (JN);

Affiliation: School of Surgical and Reproductive Sciences, 3rd Floor, William Leech Building, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK. g.e.lash(-atsign-)ncl.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of leukocyte biology (J Leukoc Biol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Sep; vol 80 (issue 3) : pp 572-80

Dates: Created 2006/08/30; Completed 2007/09/07;

PMID: 16816146, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Angiogenic Proteins - genetics; secretion
Female
Gene Expression Regulation - immunology
Humans
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; secretion
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First

Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
RNA, Messenger - genetics; secretion
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods
Sensitivity and Specificity
Transforming Growth Factor beta1 - genetics; secretion
Uterus - cytology; immunology

Associated Chemicals: Angiogenic Proteins (0) ; RNA, Messenger (0) ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 (0)

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