The gene and microRNA expressions of peripheral natural killer cells in prepregnancy and pregnancy, and the pathophysiological hypotheses

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18678
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56040:Obstetrics and gynecology-related
• Research Institution: Jichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Ishida Yoichi 自治医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (70772143)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 末梢血NK細胞 / 妊娠 / 網羅的解析 / 遺伝子 / microRNA / 着床 / 妊娠維持機構

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We hypothesized that peripheral natural killer cells (pNK) were associated with the implantation and pathophysiology of feto-maternal tolerance, and started the examination. In this study, we examined the comprehensive gene expressions in pNK from prepregnancy (follicular phase and luteal phase) to 1st-trimester. The result showed the changes of expression for many genes, so pNK might be associated with the implantation and pathophysiology of feto-maternal tolerance. Changes in gene expression such as CDK9 in comparison between follicular and luteal phase, IL-10, MMP9, and DUSP13 in comparison between luteal phase and 1st-trimester, and IL-18, MMP9, and DUSP13 in comparison between follicular phase and 1st-trimester were observed.

Free Research Field

生殖免疫

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

今回の検討で、妊娠前から妊娠初期にかけて母体末梢血NK細胞(pNK)の多数の遺伝子発現の変動を認めた。この結果から、pNKが着床や妊娠維持機構に関与している可能性が示唆された。このことは、いまだ病態が完全に解明されていない着床不全、不育症やまた早産、妊娠高血圧症候群、常位胎盤早期剥離など、妊娠に関わる疾患の原因解明や治療の向上につながる可能性がある。