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The detailed mechanism underlying endometriosis development remains unclear; few reports have suggested the involvement of immune and genetic factors. This study aims to investigate the role of NK cells in endometriosis by analyzing the co-expression of activating (NKp46, NKG2C, and NKG2D) and inhibitory receptors (NKG2A and CD158a) on NK cells and their subsequent cytokine production in the peritoneal fluid (PF). Sixty-two patients were enrolled for this study from Hyogo Medical University between February 2018 and April 2022. Results showed that the proportions of CD56

Cytokine secretion by NK cells is abnormal in some women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Cytokine production is usually evaluated after stimulation with PMA and ionomycin. However, stimulation of uterine NK cells with semen corresponds more closely to physiological conditions at the time of conception. As seminal plasma has immunomodulatory properties, we aimed to elucidate compatibility between uterine NK cells and semen. Endometrial samples were stimulated with PMA/ionomycin, semen, seminal plasma, or spermatozoa. Thereafter, cytokine production by NK (CD56

The regulation of uterine and circulating peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells has been associated with reproductive conditions including recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), implantation failure and preeclampsia. Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are unique markers that regulate NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. The role of NCRs in reproductive events has not yet been fully characterized. There is an NK1 (Type 1) shift in peripheral blood NK cells in non-pregnant women prone to RPL and implantation failure. The different profile of NCR expression in endometrial or aborted decidual NK cells suggests the presence of abnormal regulation of NK cells in women with reproductive failure. Women with a history of RPL and preeclampsia carry immunological abnormalities of NCRs on peripheral blood NK cells during pregnancy. Evaluation of NKp46 on peripheral blood NK cells may be applicable for the prediction of preeclampsia. The lower expression of NKp46(+) NK cells in women with preeclampsia may account for the higher production of NK1 cytokines - known as the NK1 shift - in pregnant women with preeclampsia. In this review, the expression of NCRs in peripheral blood NK cells and endometrial or decidual NK cells is discussed in relation to reproductive failure.

Problem: It is considered that NK22 cells might mediate mucosal immune defense in several organ. In response to pathogen, IL-23 stimulates NK22 cells to secrete IL-22. It is only reported that NK22 cells were present in the uterinemucosa. Toexamine theNK22 function,we investigated theproductionand relationof IL-22and theother cytokines using endometrium (EM) and peripheral blood (PB) NK cells of women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Materials and methods: Cytokines production (IFNgamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-10, IL-22, TGF-b1) by PB and EMNK cells and the expression of Nkp46were analyzed by triple color flow cytometry inwomenwith RPL (n=43) and controls (n=38). Moreover, we classified into four groups with high or low percentage of IL-22 production (RPL-H, RPL-L, Control-H and Control-L). Results: In EM, the percentage of NK22 cells in women with RPL was significantly higher than that of controls (p