| 1. |
- Solders, M., et al.
(författare)
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MAIT cells accumulate in placental intervillous space and display a highly cytotoxic phenotype upon bacterial stimulation
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During pregnancy, the maternal immune system must tolerate the developing foetus, and yet retain a potent antimicrobial response to prevent infections. Mucosal associated invariant T (MAIT) cells recognize microbial-derived vitamin B metabolites presented on the MR1 molecule, but their presence and function at the foetal-maternal interface is not known. We here isolated mononuclear cells from paired samples of peripheral blood (PB), intervillous blood (IVB), and decidua parietalis (DP) following uncomplicated term pregnancies. Interestingly, MAIT cells were highly enriched in IVB compared to PB and DP. The activation status of IVB MAIT cells was similar to that of PB MAIT cells, except for a lower expression of PD-1. Both IVB MAIT cells and conventional T cells were more dominated by an effector memory phenotype compared to PB MAIT cells and T cells. IVB MAIT cells also responded more vigorously with expression of IFN-gamma, granzyme B, and perforin in response to Escherichia coli stimulation compared to PB. MR1 was not expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts, but in placental villous and decidual macrophages. These data indicate that maternal MAIT cells accumulate in the intervillous space of the placenta and that they are highly armed to quickly respond if bacteria are encountered at the foetal-maternal interface.
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| 2. |
- Strunz, B., et al.
(författare)
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Continuous human uterine NK cell differentiation in response to endometrial regeneration and pregnancy
- 2021
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Ingår i: Science Immunology. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 2470-9468. ; 6:56
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Immune cell differentiation is critical for adequate tissue-specific immune responses to occur. Here, we studied differentiation of human uterine natural killer cells (uNK cells). These cells reside in a tissue undergoing constant regeneration and represent the major leukocyte population at the maternal-fetal interface. However, their physiological response during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy remains elusive. By surface proteome and transcriptome analysis as well as using humanized mice, we identify a differentiation pathway of uNK cells in vitro and in vivo with sequential acquisition of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors and CD39. uNK cell differentiation occurred continuously in response to the endometrial regeneration and was driven by interleukin-15. Differentiated uNK cells displayed reduced proliferative capacity and immunomodulatory function including enhanced angiogenic capacity. By studying human uterus transplantation and monozygotic twins, we found that the uNK cell niche could be replenished from circulation and that it was under genetic control. Together, our study uncovers a continuous differentiation pathway of human NK cells in the uterus that is coupled to profound functional changes in response to local tissue regeneration and pregnancy.
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| 3. |
- Bister, J., et al.
(författare)
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Human endometrial MAIT cells are transiently tissue resident and respond toNeisseria gonorrhoeae
- 2021
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Ingår i: Mucosal Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1933-0219 .- 1935-3456. ; 14, s. 357-365
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are non-classical T cells important in the mucosal defense against microbes. Despite an increasing interest in the immunobiology of the endometrial mucosa, little is known regarding human MAIT cells in this compartment. The potential role of MAIT cells as a tissue-resident local defense against microbes in the endometrium is largely unexplored. Here, we performed a high-dimensional flow cytometry characterization of MAIT cells in endometrium from pre- and postmenopausal women, and in decidua from first-trimester pregnancies. Furthermore, we assessed MAIT cell function by stimulation withNeisseria gonorrhoeae(N. gonorrhoeae). Endometrial MAIT (eMAIT) cells represented a stable endometrial immune cell population as limited dynamic changes were observed during the menstrual cycle, post menopause, or in response to pregnancy. Furthermore, eMAIT cells exhibited an activated tissue-resident phenotype. Despite expressing CD69 and CD103, eMAIT cells were replenished over time by circulating MAIT cells, as assessed using human uterus transplantation as a model. Finally, functional experiments revealed the capability of MAIT cells to respond to the sexually transmitted and tissue-relevant pathogen,N. gonorrhoeae. In conclusion, our study provides novel insight into human MAIT cell dynamics and anti-microbial properties in the human uterus.
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| 4. |
- Solders, M., et al.
(författare)
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Mature naive B cells are retained in the placental intervillous blood and positively associate with specific chemokines in full-term healthy pregnancy
- 2019
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Ingår i: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : Wiley. - 1046-7408 .- 1600-0897. ; 82:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Problem Circulating B-cell numbers are lower during pregnancy compared with non-pregnant women, but the underlying reasons for this are unknown. Pregnancy-related hormones could influence B-cell lymphopoiesis in the bone marrow, but B cells may also be recruited to the placenta. To investigate the latter, we examined whether the proportions of total B cells and B cells at different maturational stages in placental intervillous blood (IVB) differ compared with peripheral blood (PB). Method of study From 23 paired samples of PB and IVB following full-term healthy pregnancies, total B cells and immature/transitional, mature/naive, and memory B cells were identified by flow cytometry. Chemokine levels in blood were analyzed using a Luminex assay. Placental explant-derived supernatant was assayed for B-cell chemotactic activity. Results The proportions of total B cells and mature/naive B cells were significantly higher in IVB relative to PB, while the fractions of immature/transitional cells and memory B cells were higher in PB. Multivariate factor analysis demonstrated that a specific chemokine profile in IVB, including CCL20, positively associated with higher proportions of mature/naive B cells in the intervillous space. All B cells expressed CCR6, the corresponding receptor for CCL20, but the intensity of CCR6 expression was significantly higher in mature/naive B cells relative to immature/transitional B cells. Migration assays showed that placental explant-derived supernatants attract B cells. Conclusion These results indicate that B cells, and mature/naive B cells in particular, are retained in the intervillous blood in response to certain chemokines produced by the placenta during late healthy pregnancy.
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