Natural killer (NK) cells of the immune system are able to kill infected or malignant cells without prior sensitisation. European scientists investigated the unique role of the uterine subset of these cells during pregnancy.
Pregnancy in vertebrates is characterised by co-existence of two genetically distinct organisms with placental cells invading maternal tissues and vasculature. Uterus is very rich in NK cells, but these uterine NK cells (uNK) surprisingly are not very good killers. In the EU-funded NK IN PREGNANCY (Impact of natural killer cells on fetal and placental development) project scientists studied the role of uNK cells at the maternal-foetal tissue interface and how they impact placental and foetal development.
Further details: Unique role of immune cells in pregnancy