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Localization of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors for MMPs (TIMPs) in uterine natural killer cells in early human pregnancy

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Katsuhiko Naruse, Dr Gendie Lash, Barbara Innes, Dr Harry Otun, Dr Roger Searle, Professor Steve RobsonORCiD, Dr Judith Bulmer

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Abstract

Invasion by extravillous trophoblast into uterine decidua and myometrium with remodeling of spiral arteries is essential for normal human pregnancy and is tightly regulated. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells appear to be a major maternal regulator of placentation through the secretion of growth factors, cytokines and proteinases. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity in placental bed biopsies was studied using in situ gelatin zymography. Expression by uNK cells of MMP-2, MMP-9 and their tissue inhibitors, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3, was localized in the placental bed by immunohistochemistry. Levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 secreted into 24 h cell culture supernatants of isolated uNK and unseparated (total) decidual cells (8-10 and 12-14 weeks gestation, n = 10 each group) were determined by gelatin gel zymography or western blot as appropriate. RESULTS: Gelatinase activity in situ appeared greater in decidua than myometrium. uNK cells showed strong immunostaining for MMP-2 and TIMP-2. MMP-9 activity was lower in uNK cells than total decidual supernatants (8-10 weeks: P = 0.0003; 12-14 weeks: P = 0.0012). In contrast, there was no difference in MMP-2 secreted by either uNK cell or total decidual cultures. uNK cells from early human pregnancy decidua possess innate protease activity, especially MMP-2, providing further evidence for a role for these cells in regulation of trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling in early placentation.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Naruse K, Lash GE, Innes BA, Otun HA, Searle RF, Robson SC, Bulmer JN

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Human Reproduction

Year: 2009

Volume: 24

Issue: 3

Pages: 553-561

ISSN (print): 0268-1161

ISSN (electronic): 0268-1161

Publisher: Oxford University Press

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/den408

DOI: 10.1093/humrep/den408


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
S19967BBSRC

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