American Journal of Reproductive Immunology

Original Article

Peripheral Blood NK Cell Cytotoxicities are Negatively Correlated with CD8⁺ T Cells in Fertile Women but not in Women with a History of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Ji Hee Yoo

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

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Joanne Kwak-Kim,

Joanne Kwak-Kim

Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA

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Ae-Ra Han,

Ae-Ra Han

Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA

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Hyunkyong Ahn,

Hyunkyong Ahn

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

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Sun-Hwa Cha,

Sun-Hwa Cha

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Mi Kyung Koong,

Mi Kyung Koong

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In Soo Kang,

In Soo Kang

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Kwang Moon Yang,

Corresponding Author

Kwang Moon Yang

Correspondence

Kwang Moon Yang, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of OB & Gyn, Cheil General Hospital & Women's Healthcare Center, Kwandong University College of Medicine, 1-19, Mookjung-Dong, Jung-Gu, Seoul 100-380, Korea.

E-mail: [email protected]

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Ji Hee Yoo,

Ji Hee Yoo

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Joanne Kwak-Kim,

Joanne Kwak-Kim

Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA

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Ae-Ra Han,

Ae-Ra Han

Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA

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Hyunkyong Ahn,

Hyunkyong Ahn

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cheil General Hospital and Women's Healthcare Center, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

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Sun-Hwa Cha,

Sun-Hwa Cha

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Mi Kyung Koong,

Mi Kyung Koong

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In Soo Kang,

In Soo Kang

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Kwang Moon Yang,

Corresponding Author

Kwang Moon Yang

Correspondence

E-mail: [email protected]

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First published: 26 April 2012

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01133.x

Citations: 19

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Abstract

Problem

We aim to investigate NK cell cytolytic activities and its relationship to other lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood of women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL).

Methods of Study

Women with a history of RPL (n = 48) comprised RPL group, and 15 fertile women served as controls. Lymphocyte subsets such as T (CD3⁺), T helper (CD3⁺/4⁺), cytotoxic T (CD3⁺/8⁺), NK (CD3⁻/56⁺), and peripheral blood NK cell cytolytic activities at three different effector to target cell ratios (E/T ratio, 50:1, 25:1 and 12.5:1) are measured by flow cytometric analysis.

Results

Peripheral blood NK cell levels are significantly increased in women with RPL as compared to controls ( P = 0.001). NK cell cytolytic activities in RPL group are significantly increased as compared to those of controls at E/T ratio of 50:1 (42.5 ± 16.3 versus 29.9 ± 13.8, P = 0.009), 25:1 (31.6 ± 15.0 versus 19.4 ± 10.1, P = 0.004), and 12.5:1 (20.1 ± 10.9 versus 12.3 ± 7.5, P = 0.011). In RPL group, peripheral blood NK cell levels (%) showed a significant positive correlation with NK cell cytolytic activities at E/T ratio of 50:1 (r = 0.522, P < 0.001), 25:1 (r = 0.588, P < 0.001), and 12.5:1 (r = 0.604, P < 0.001). In controls, CD3⁺/8⁺ cells (%) show a negative correlation with NK cell cytolytic activities at E/T ratio of 50:1 (r = −0.566, P = 0.028), 25:1 (r = −0.60., P = 0.017), and 12.5:1 (r = −0.602, P = 0.018). Ratios of T-helper cell to T-cytotoxic cell are positively correlated with NK cell cytolytic activities at E/T ratio of 50:1 (r = 0.601, P = 0.018), 25:1 (r = 0.632, P = 0.012), and 12.5:1 (r = 0.637, P = 0.011).

Conclusion

NK cell-mediated immunopathology plays a role in RPL. Women with RPL have a disrupted immune regulation between cytotoxic T and NK cells. Failure of immune modulation by CD8⁺ T cells may exert NK cell activation and reproductive failures in women with RPL.

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Citing Literature

Volume68, Issue1

July 2012

Pages 38-46

Peripheral Blood NK Cell Cytotoxicities are Negatively Correlated with CD8⁺ T Cells in Fertile Women but not in Women with a History of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Abstract

Problem

Methods of Study

Results

Conclusion

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Peripheral Blood NK Cell Cytotoxicities are Negatively Correlated with CD8+ T Cells in Fertile Women but not in Women with a History of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Abstract

Problem

Methods of Study

Results

Conclusion

References

Citing Literature

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Peripheral Blood NK Cell Cytotoxicities are Negatively Correlated with CD8⁺ T Cells in Fertile Women but not in Women with a History of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss