Uterine natural killer cells initiate spiral artery remodeling in human pregnancy

• DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-210310
• Publication Date: 2012-08-24T02:13:18Z
• Authors: Andrew Robson; Lynda K. Harris; Barbara A. Innes; Gendie E. Lash; Mais M. Aljunaidy; John D. Aplin; Philip N. Baker; Stephen C. Robson; Judith N. Bulmer
• Keywords: Spiral artery; Trophoblast; Decidua; Myometrium

Uterine spiral artery remodeling is required for successful human pregnancy; impaired associated with pregnancy complications, including late miscarriage, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. The molecular triggers of are not known, but it now clear that there “trophoblast-independent” “trophoblast-dependent” stages. natural killer (uNK) cells abundant in decidualized endometrium early they surround arteries secrete a range angiogenic factors. We hypothesized uNK mediate the initial stages remodeling. extravillous trophoblast (EVT) were isolated from decidua placenta. Chorionic plate full-term placentas nonpregnant myometrium cultured factors or conditioned medium (CM) EVT cell/EVT cocultures. In both vessel models, cell CM induced disruption vascular smooth muscle (VSMCs) breakdown extracellular matrix components. Angiopoietin (Ang)-1, Ang-2, interferon-γ, VEGF-C also disrupted VSMC integrity an Ang-2 inhibitor abrogating effect CM. These results provide compelling evidence contribute to remodeling; failure this process could pathology.—Robson, A., Harris, L. K., Innes, B. Lash, G. E., Aljunaidy, M. M., Aplin, J. D., Baker, P. N., Robson, S. C., Bulmer, N. initiate pregnancy. FASEB 26, 4876–4885 (2012). www.fasebj.org