Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Current Women`s Health Reviews

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1573-4048
ISSN (Online): 1875-6581

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Journal Insight Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Review Article

The Role of Natural Killer Cells and Mast Cells in Female Infertility and Associated Treatment Outcomes

Author(s): Nahid Lorzadeh* and Nastaran Kazemirad

Volume 16, Issue 2, 2020

Page: [102 - 106] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/1573404816666200206111550

Price: $65

Abstract

Introduction: One of the identified causes of infertility has been related to the inability to regulate immunological tolerance of the maternal immune system against the developing fetus, thereby inhibiting the process of implantation. Various immune cells have been identified to contribute to the concept of un-regulated immunological tolerance, such as mast cells (MCs) and natural killer cells (NK). There are available evidences that MC play a role in the pathogenesis of infertility diseases like endometriosis and NK in specific infertility disease.

Objective: Presently, there are studies to formulate and develop immunosuppressive drugs in order to suppress or inhibit the process of immune rejection caused by maternal immune cells. In addition, there have been reports regarding the use of steroids for the treatment of miscarriage that can inhibit the activity of most immune cells.

Conclusion: This review is to give a comprehensive mini-review on the role of immune cells, especially mast cells and NK cells in developing novel infertility treatment.

Keywords: Infertility, immune cells, immunosuppressive drug, implantation, natural killer cells, mast cells.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Sharlip ID, Jarow JP, Belker AM, et al. Best practice policies for male infertility. Fertil Steril 2002; 77(5): 873-82.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0015-0282(02)03105-9] [PMID: 12009338]
[2]
Trent M. Status of adolescent pelvic inflammatory disease management in the United States. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2013; 25(5): 350-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/GCO.0b013e328364ea79] [PMID: 24018871]
[3]
Akbariasbagh F, Lorzadeh N, Azmoodeh A, Ghaseminejad A, Mohamadpoor J, Kazemirad S. Association among diameter and volume of follicles, oocyte maturity, and competence in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. Minerva Ginecol 2015; 67(5): 397-403.
[PMID: 26491821]
[4]
Agenor A, Bhattacharya S. Infertility and miscarriage: common pathways in manifestation and management. Womens Health (Lond) 2015; 11(4): 527-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/WHE.15.19] [PMID: 26238301]
[5]
Lorzadeh N, Sepavand F, Soleimaninezhad M, Kazemirad N. The effect of extract of oak gall for vaginal tightening and rejuvenation in women with vaginal relaxation. OJOG 2016; 6(13): 879-87.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2016.613106]
[6]
Coulam CB, Acacio B. Does immunotherapy for treatment of reproductive failure enhance live births? Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 67(4): 296-304.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01111.x] [PMID: 22340745]
[7]
Lorzadeh N, Sepavand F, Soleimaninezhad M, Kazemi RN. The effect of extract of internal layer of quercus (OAK GAL) in contraction of vaginal smooth muscles in women with vaginal relaxation. Faslnamah-i Giyahan-i Daruyi 2016; 4(60): 173-81.
[8]
Sharma S. Natural killer cells and regulatory T cells in early pregnancy loss. Int J Dev Biol 2014; 58(2-4): 219-29.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.140109ss] [PMID: 25023688]
[9]
Lorzadeh N, Kazemirad N. Embryonic stem cells and infertility. Am J Perinatol 2018; 35(10): 925-30.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1632367] [PMID: 29490398]
[10]
Seshadri S, Sunkara SK. Natural killer cells in female infertility and recurrent miscarriage: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 20(3): 429-38.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmt056] [PMID: 24285824]
[11]
Tang A-W, Alfirevic Z, Quenby S. Natural killer cells and pregnancy outcomes in women with recurrent miscarriage and infertility: a systematic review. Hum Reprod 2011; 26(8): 1971-80.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/der164] [PMID: 21613313]
[12]
La Rocca C, Carbone F, Longobardi S, Matarese G. The immunology of pregnancy: regulatory T cells control maternal immune tolerance toward the fetus. Immunol Lett 2014; 162(1 Pt A)1, Part A):. : 41-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.imlet.2014.06.013] [PMID: 24996040]
[13]
Lash GE, Bulmer JN. Do uterine natural killer (uNK) cells contribute to female reproductive disorders? J Reprod Immunol 2011; 88(2): 156-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2011.01.003] [PMID: 21334072]
[14]
Rai R, Sacks G, Trew G. Natural killer cells and reproductive failure--theory, practice and prejudice. Hum Reprod 2005; 20(5): 1123-6.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh804] [PMID: 15760961]
[15]
Acién P, Velasco I, Acién M, Quereda F. Treatment of endometriosis with transvaginal ultrasound-guided drainage and recombinant interleukin-2 left in the cysts: a third clinical trial. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2010; 69(3): 203-11.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000270901] [PMID: 20051692]
[16]
Alijotas-Reig J, Llurba E, Gris JM. Potentiating maternal immune tolerance in pregnancy: a new challenging role for regulatory T cells. Placenta 2014; 35(4): 241-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2014.02.004] [PMID: 24581729]
[17]
Dan S, Wei W, Yichao S, et al. Effect of prednisolone administration on patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage and in routine intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a meta-nalysis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74(1): 89-97.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/aji.12373] [PMID: 25753479]
[18]
Gomaa MF, Elkholy AG, El-Said MM, Abdel-Salam NE. Combined oral prednisolone and heparin versus heparin: the effect on peripheral NK cells and clinical outcome in patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage. A double-blind placebo randomized controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2014; 290(4): 757-62.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3262-0] [PMID: 24818590]
[19]
Tang A-W, Alfirevic Z, Turner MA, Drury JA, Small R, Quenby S. A feasibility trial of screening women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage for high uterine natural killer cell density and randomizing to prednisolone or placebo when pregnant. Hum Reprod 2013; 28(7): 1743-52.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det117] [PMID: 23585559]
[20]
Fawzy M, El-Refaeey A-AA. Does combined prednisolone and low molecular weight heparin have a role in unexplained implantation failure? Arch Gynecol Obstet 2014; 289(3): 677-80.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00404-013-3020-8] [PMID: 24048369]
[21]
Polanski LT, Barbosa MAP, Martins WP, et al. Interventions to improve reproductive outcomes in women with elevated natural killer cells undergoing assisted reproduction techniques: a systematic review of literature. Hum Reprod 2014; 29(1): 65-75.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humrep/det414] [PMID: 24256994]
[22]
Roussev RG, Dons’koi BV, Stamatkin C, et al. Preimplantation factor inhibits circulating natural killer cell cytotoxicity and reduces CD69 expression: implications for recurrent pregnancy loss therapy. Reprod Biomed Online 2013; 26(1): 79-87.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.09.017] [PMID: 23186554]
[23]
Piao H-L, Wang S-C, Tao Y, et al. Cyclosporine A enhances Th2 bias at the maternal-fetal interface in early human pregnancy with aid of the interaction between maternal and fetal cells. PLoS One 2012; 7(9): e45275
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045275] [PMID: 23028901]
[24]
Winger EE, Reed JL, Ashoush S, El-Toukhy T, Ahuja S, Taranissi M. Birth defect rates in women using Adalimumab (Humira(®) ) to treat immunologic-based infertility in IVF patients. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66(3): 237-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.00994.x] [PMID: 21501282]
[25]
Lorzadeh N, Kazemirad N. Application of stem cells to infertility treatment with emphasis on mesenchymal stem cells and ovarian stem cells. Am J Perinatol 2018; 35(12): 1142-7.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1646948] [PMID: 29715701]
[26]
Menzies FM, Shepherd MC, Nibbs RJ, Nelson SM. The role of mast cells and their mediators in reproduction, pregnancy and labour. Hum Reprod Update 2011; 17(3): 383-96.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmq053] [PMID: 20959350]
[27]
Sivridis E, Giatromanolaki A, Agnantis N, Anastasiadis P. Mast cell distribution and density in the normal uterus--metachromatic staining using lectins. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2001; 98(1): 109-13.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0301-2115(00)00564-9] [PMID: 11516809]
[28]
Kirchhoff D, Kaulfuss S, Fuhrmann U, Maurer M, Zollner TM. Mast cells in endometriosis: guilty or innocent bystanders? Expert Opin Ther Targets 2012; 16(3): 237-41.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14728222.2012.661415] [PMID: 22332753]
[29]
Paula R Jr, Oliani AH, Vaz-Oliani DC, D’Ávila SC, Oliani SM, Gil CD. The intricate role of mast cell proteases and the annexin A1-FPR1 system in abdominal wall endometriosis. J Mol Histol 2015; 46(1): 33-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10735-014-9595-y] [PMID: 25201101]
[30]
Umezawa M, Sakata C, Tanaka N, et al. Pathological study for the effects of in utero and postnatal exposure to diesel exhaust on a rat endometriosis model. J Toxicol Sci 2011; 36(4): 493-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2131/jts.36.493] [PMID: 21804314]
[31]
Lin KQ, Zhu LB, Zhang XM, Lin J. [Role of mast cells in estrogen-mediated experimental endometriosis in rats]. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2015; 44(3): 269-77.
[PMID: 26350007]
[32]
Iuvone T, Affaitati G, De Filippis D, et al. Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide reduces viscerovisceral hyperalgesia in a rat model of endometriosis plus ureteral calculosis: role of mast cells. Pain 2016; 157(1): 80-91.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000220] [PMID: 25974242]
[33]
Zhu LB, Lin KQ, Zhang XM, Lin J. [Sodium cromoglycate attenuates experimental endometriosis in rats by regulating mast cells]. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2015; 44(3): 278-84.
[PMID: 26350008]
[34]
Bonds RS, Midoro-Horiuti T. Estrogen effects in allergy and asthma. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2013; 13(1): 92-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ACI.0b013e32835a6dd6] [PMID: 23090385]
[35]
Novella-Maestre E, Herraiz S, Vila-Vives JM, Carda C, Ruiz-Sauri A, Pellicer A. Effect of antiangiogenic treatment on peritoneal endometriosis-associated nerve fibers. Fertil Steril 2012; 98(5): 1209-17.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.07.1103] [PMID: 22921078]
[36]
Anaf V, Chapron C, El Nakadi I, De Moor V, Simonart T, Noël J-C. Pain, mast cells, and nerves in peritoneal, ovarian, and deep infiltrating endometriosis. Fertil Steril 2006; 86(5): 1336-43.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2006.03.057] [PMID: 17007852]
[37]
Konno R, Yamada-Okabe H, Fujiwara H, et al. Role of immunoreactions and mast cells in pathogenesis of human endometriosis--morphologic study and gene expression analysis. Hum Cell 2003; 16(3): 141-9.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-0774.2003.tb00146.x] [PMID: 15005245]
[38]
Binda MM, Donnez J, Dolmans M-M. Targeting mast cells: a new way to treat endometriosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2017; 21(1): 67-75.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14728222.2017.1260548] [PMID: 27841046]
[39]
D’Cruz OJ, Uckun FM. Targeting mast cells in endometriosis with janus kinase 3 inhibitor, JANEX-1. Am J Reprod Immunol 2007; 58(2): 75-97.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2007.00502.x] [PMID: 17631002]
[40]
Zhang T, Finn DF, Barlow JW, Walsh JJ. Mast cell stabilisers. Eur J Pharmacol 2016; 778: 158-68.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.05.071] [PMID: 26130122]
[41]
Ram R, Gafter-Gvili A, Yeshurun M, Paul M, Raanani P, Shpilberg O. Prophylaxis regimens for GVHD: systematic review and meta-analysis. Bone Marrow Transplant 2009; 43(8): 643-53.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2008.373] [PMID: 18997826]
[42]
Ramiro S, Gaujoux-Viala C, Nam JL, et al. Safety of synthetic and biological DMARDs: a systematic literature review informing the 2013 update of the EULAR recommendations for management of rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2014; 73(3): 529-35.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204575] [PMID: 24401994]
[43]
Ndukwe G. Recurrent embryo implantation failure after in vitro fertilisation: improved outcome following intralipid infusion in women with elevated T Helper 1 response. Hum Fertil (Camb) 2011; 14(2): 21-2.
[44]
Matsubayashi H, Maruyama T, Ozawa N, et al. Anti-paternal antibodies by flow cytometry in the management of alloimmunization on recurrent miscarriages. Am J Reprod Immunol 2000; 44(5): 284-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.8755-8920.2000.440506.x] [PMID: 11125790]
[45]
Shreeve N, Sadek K. Intralipid therapy for recurrent implantation failure: new hope or false dawn? J Reprod Immunol 2012; 93(1): 38-40.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jri.2011.11.003] [PMID: 22196107]
[46]
Yu C-P, Wu P-P, Hou Y-C, et al. Quercetin and rutin reduced the bioavailability of cyclosporine from Neoral, an immunosuppressant, through activating P-glycoprotein and CYP 3A4. J Agric Food Chem 2011; 59(9): 4644-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf104786t] [PMID: 21466223]
[47]
Virro MR, Winger EE, Reed JL. Intravenous immunoglobulin for repeated IVF failure and unexplained infertility. Am J Reprod Immunol 2012; 68(3): 218-25.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2012.01169.x] [PMID: 22805355]
[48]
Quenby S, Kalumbi C, Bates M, Farquharson R, Vince G. Prednisolone reduces preconceptual endometrial natural killer cells in women with recurrent miscarriage. Fertil Steril 2005; 84(4): 980-4.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2005.05.012] [PMID: 16213853]
[49]
Thum MY, Bhaskaran S, Abdalla HI, Ford B, Sumar N, Bansal A. Prednisolone suppresses NK cell cytotoxicity in vitro in women with a history of infertility and elevated NK cell cytotoxicity. Am J Reprod Immunol 2008; 59(3): 259-65.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2007.00574.x] [PMID: 18275519]
[50]
Tang A-W, Alfirevic Z, Turner MA, Drury J, Quenby S. Prednisolone Trial: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of prednisolone for women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and raised levels of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in the endometrium. Trials 2009; 10(1): 102.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1745-6215-10-102] [PMID: 19903335]
[51]
Schiessl B, Innes BA, Bulmer JN, et al. Localization of angiogenic growth factors and their receptors in the human placental bed throughout normal human pregnancy. Placenta 2009; 30(1): 79-87.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.placenta.2008.10.004] [PMID: 19010534]
[52]
Bramham K, Thomas M, Nelson-Piercy C, Khamashta M, Hunt BJ. First-trimester low-dose prednisolone in refractory antiphospholipid antibody-related pregnancy loss. Blood 2011; 117(25): 6948-51.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1182/blood-2011-02-339234] [PMID: 21527518]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
13
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy