Treatments

Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial to the human immune system. They work to combat infections and keep an eye on the growth of tumours in our bodies. These Natural Killer Cells originate from the early pluripotent hematopoietic cells but mature in the thymus gland. NK cells are a significant type of lymphocyte and play a role in the body’s innate immune response. In addition to the NK cells found in the bloodstream, there are also different types of NK cells located in the lining of the uterus, known as uterine NK (uNK) cells, which resemble those found in the bloodstream.

Natural Killer Cells and Pregnancy

Uterine NK cells, which are found in the uterus during the implantation of the embryo and during the first weeks of pregnancy, seem to help connect the placenta with blood vessels and establish normal communication with the fetus.

NK cells are largely found in the endometrium in early pregnancy. It seems that increased levels of NK can affect the result of IVF by preventing its implantation.

The interaction between Natural Killer Cells assessment and pregnancy

Some associations increasing the levels of NK cells in the maternal blood can lead to miscarriage. There are no internationally recognized normal values ​​for uterine NK cells. There are three different biomarkers in reproductive medicine:

• The absolute number of NK in peripheral blood.
• The activation of NK cells
• The number of NK CELLS in the endometrium

When one of the above biomarkers is abnormal, it increases the possibility of infertility, a negative result in IVF or miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy.

The NK cell activation test measures the aggressiveness of these cells as well as the ability of interleukin 2 to stimulate and immunoglobulin g to suppress NK cell activity.

The treatments recommended for elevated NK cell values ​​are the use of corticosteroids and the intravenous administration of immunoglobulin.