Original Article

Role of NKp46 Expression in Cytokine Production by CD56-Positive NK Cells in the Peripheral Blood and the Uterine Endometrium

  1. Megumi Yokota*,
  2. Atushi Fukui,
  3. Ayano Funamizu,
  4. Rika Nakamura,
  5. Mai Kamoi,
  6. Kohei Fuchinoue,
  7. Yukie Sasaki,
  8. Rie Fukuhara,
  9. Hideki Mizunuma

Article first published online: 11 JAN 2013

DOI: 10.1111/aji.12062

Issue

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology

Volume 69, Issue 3, pages 202–211, March 2013

Additional Information

How to Cite

Yokota M, Fukui A, Funamizu A, Nakamura R, Kamoi M, Fuchinoue K, Sasaki Y, Fukuhara R, Mizunuma H. Role of NKp46 Expression in Cytokine Production by CD56-Positive NK Cells in the Peripheral Blood and the Uterine Endometrium. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 69: 202–211

Author Information

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Aomori, Japan

* Correspondence
Megumi Yokota, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8562, Japan.
E-mail: megumi-y@cc.hirosaki-u.ac.jp

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 FEB 2013
  2. Article first published online: 11 JAN 2013
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 19 NOV 2012
  4. Manuscript Received: 26 AUG 2012

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Keywords:

  • CD56;
  • cytokine;
  • natural cytotoxicity receptor;
  • natural killer cell;
  • NKp46

Problem

To investigate the role of natural cytotoxicity receptor, NKp46 expression in cytokine-producing NK cells.

Method of Study

CD56+/NKp46+ NK cells from the peripheral blood and the uterine endometrium were magnetically separated. IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β1 expressions on NK cells were investigated using multicolor flow cytometry.

Results

Peripheral blood and uterine endometrial NK cells were grouped into 4 subpopulations based upon the degree of CD56 and NKp46 expressions. NKp46 expression was associated with higher frequency of cytokine-producing NK cells, including CD56dimNK cells. The percentage of TNF-α+ and IL-10+ NK cells per total CD56+/NKp46+ NK cells in the uterine endometrium showed a significant correlation with those of the peripheral blood in all subpopulations, but that of IFN-γ+, IL-4+, and TGF-β1+ NK cells showed partial correlation.

Conclusion

Expression of NKp46 is involved in cytokine production of CD56+ NK cells in the peripheral blood and the uterine endometrium.

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