RESUMO
The endometrium contains a unique subset of uterine-specific natural killer (uNK) cells, the proposed functions of which include a role in decidualization, menstruation, and implantation. These cells increase in number during the mid-late secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and are also present in large numbers in early pregnancy. The cyclical nature of uNK cell appearance suggests hormonal regulation of these cells. To date, it has not been possible to localize either estrogen receptors (ERs) or progesterone receptors (PRs) to uNK cells. In the present study, we have investigated the steroid receptor expression of uNK cells, including not only ER alpha and PR but also wild-type ER beta 1, its variant form ER beta cx/beta 2, and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) using specific monoclonal antibodies and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. mRNA encoding ER alpha, PR, ER beta cx/beta 2, ER beta 1, and GR were identified in extracts of human endometrium across the menstrual cycle and in decidua. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR demonstrated an absence of ER alpha and PR mRNA in purified uNK cells. In contrast, mRNA for ER beta cx/beta 2, ER beta 1, and GR was present in uNK cells. ER alpha, PR, ER beta cx/beta 2, ER beta 1, and GR proteins were identified in endometrial and decidual biopsies. Colocalization using specific monoclonal antibodies confirmed that uNK cells were immunonegative for ER alpha and PR protein. These cells were also immunonegative for ER beta cx/beta 2 but did express ER beta 1 and GR proteins. These results raise the possibility that estrogens and glucocorticoids could be acting directly on uNK cells through ER beta and GR, respectively, to influence gene transcription in the endometrium and decidua.
Assuntos
Células Matadoras Naturais/metabolismo , Receptores de Esteroides/metabolismo , Útero/metabolismo , Antígeno CD56/metabolismo , Sistemas Computacionais , Decídua/metabolismo , Endométrio/metabolismo , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio , Receptor beta de Estrogênio , Feminino , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Gravidez , Isoformas de Proteínas/genética , Isoformas de Proteínas/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Receptores de Estrogênio/genética , Receptores de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Receptores de Glucocorticoides/genética , Receptores de Glucocorticoides/metabolismo , Receptores de Progesterona/genética , Receptores de Progesterona/metabolismo , Receptores de Esteroides/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Útero/citologiaRESUMO
The fetus is considered to be an allograft that, paradoxically, survives pregnancy despite the laws of classical transplantation immunology. There is no direct contact of the mother with the embryo, only with the extraembryonic placenta as it implants in the uterus. No convincing evidence of uterine maternal T-cell recognition of placental trophoblast cells has been found, but instead, there might be maternal allorecognition mediated by uterine natural killer cells that recognize unusual fetal trophoblast MHC ligands.
