Natural killer T cell subsets in eutopic and ectopic endometrium: a fresh look to a busy corner
Abstract
Purpose Invariant Natural Killer T cells (iNKT) are a specialized subset of T cells that use their T cell receptor to recognize self and foreign lipids presented by CD1d as cognate antigens. iNKT have been shown to have either protective or harmful roles in many pathological states, including microbial infection, autoimmune disease, allergic disease and cancer. Accumulating evidence seems to suggest that this unique T cell subset combines both classically innate and adaptive immunologic characteristic. Considering these recent data, the aim of work was to review the current knowledge about iNKT in eutopic and ectopic endometrium.Methods Narrative overview, synthesizing the findings of literature retrieved from searches of computerized databases.Results Currently, the immune paradigm of reproduction is gradually changing shape: recent data confirmed that cytokine milieu influences the development and plasticity of different subtype of mononuclear cells, and in turn it can be influenced by the cytokine production of the latter. Among the different NKT cell populations, the recently characterized iNKT seems to share actions typical both of innate and adaptive immunity, being capable of secreting Th1 as well as Th2 cytokine pattern. Moreover, several subtypes of iNKT were identified, who partially express the same master transcription factors of the corresponding T cells counterpart.Conclusions Although the data about iNKT's actions in eutopic and ectopic endometrium are still scarce, it is possible to hypothesize that future investigation can shed light on this point, thus allowing a better knowledge about the regulation of these two microenvironments.
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In the endometrium of women with endometriosis, several hundred minor biochemical changes have been described.
“In the endometrium of women with endometriosis several hundred minor biochemical changes have been described (124-128).”
From Pathogenesis of endometriosis: The genetic/epigenetic theory (2019) · cites this paper as [127]
The hyperestrogenic state increases with worsening disease.
“In addition to this unique microenvironment formed in endometriosis foci, it is also known that the hyperestrogenic state, which increases with worsening disease, contributes to reduced immune surveillance by enhancing Treg activity, in addition to promoting proliferation of endometriotic tissue [103].”
From Malignancies Associated with Extraovarian Endometriosis: A Literature Review (2021) · cites this paper as [103]
The hyperestrogenic state promotes proliferation of endometriotic tissue.
“In addition to this unique microenvironment formed in endometriosis foci, it is also known that the hyperestrogenic state, which increases with worsening disease, contributes to reduced immune surveillance by enhancing Treg activity, in addition to promoting proliferation of endometriotic tissue [103].”
From Malignancies Associated with Extraovarian Endometriosis: A Literature Review (2021) · cites this paper as [103]
Reduced NK cell activity supports the survival of endometriotic cells in the peritoneal cavity.
“Ectopic endometrial cells disseminated in the peritoneal cavity are conditioned to survive and proliferate by inflammatory cytokines and remodeling of the peritoneal microenvironment by MMPs, and reduced NK cell activity is also known to support the survival of endometriotic cells in the peritoneal cavity [103,104].”
From Malignancies Associated with Extraovarian Endometriosis: A Literature Review (2021) · cites this paper as [103]
Ectopic endometrial cells disseminated in the peritoneal cavity are conditioned to survive and proliferate by inflammatory cytokines and remodeling of the peritoneal microenvironment by MMPs.
“Ectopic endometrial cells disseminated in the peritoneal cavity are conditioned to survive and proliferate by inflammatory cytokines and remodeling of the peritoneal microenvironment by MMPs, and reduced NK cell activity is also known to support the survival of endometriotic cells in the peritoneal cavity [103,104].”
From Malignancies Associated with Extraovarian Endometriosis: A Literature Review (2021) · cites this paper as [103]
The hyperestrogenic state contributes to reduced immune surveillance by enhancing Treg activity.
“In addition to this unique microenvironment formed in endometriosis foci, it is also known that the hyperestrogenic state, which increases with worsening disease, contributes to reduced immune surveillance by enhancing Treg activity, in addition to promoting proliferation of endometriotic tissue [103].”
From Malignancies Associated with Extraovarian Endometriosis: A Literature Review (2021) · cites this paper as [103]
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References 120 · Cited by 67
- Authors
- Laganà, A. S., Triolo, O., Salmeri, F. M., Granese, R., Palmara, V. I., Ban Frangež, H., Vrtčnik Bokal, E., & Sofo, V.
- Affiliations
- University of Messina (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Laganà, Antonio Simone
- Venue
- Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Published
- 2016-01-06
- Volume
- 293
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 941-949
- ISSN
- 0003-9128 (ISSN-L)
- 0932-0067
- 1432-0711
- OpenAlex
- W2229096149
- Cited by
- 67
- References
- 120
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 7
- FWCI
- 1.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Keywords
- invariant natural killer T cells, endometrium, ectopic endometrium, CD1d, lipid antigen presentation, cytokine milieu, Th1/Th2 cytokines, transcription factors, innate and adaptive immunity, reproductive immunology
- MeSH terms
- Endometrium, Female, Humans, Lipids, Cytokines, Antigens, CD1d, Natural Killer T-Cells
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