CD200S-positive granulated lymphoid cells in endometrium appear to be CD56-positive uterine NK cells. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Clark, David A.; Reihani, Amir; Arredondo, Jorge L.; Ask, Kjetil; Foster, Warren G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 150(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: SEM standard error of the mean -- KLH keyhole limpet haemocyanin -- CD cluster of differentiation -- PBS phosphate buffered saline -- AFD animal-free diluent -- IHC immunohistochemistry -- DAPI 4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenoyindole -- NK natural killer cell(s) -- uNK uterine natural killer cells -- eGL endometrial granulated lymphocytes (uNK cells) -- IEL intraepithelial lymphocyte -- NCBI National Center for Biotechnology Information -- ER epitope retrieval buffer -- Fc the crystallizable fragment of IgG as distinct from the Fab fragment which binds antigen; Uterine NK cells -- CD200 -- Endometriosis -- Endometrial NK cells -- Decidual NK cells; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunology; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 615.766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103477
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-0378

Abstract

Abstract: The eutopic secretory phase endometrium in endometriosis overproduces and releases a soluble immunosuppressive CD200 molecule (CD200L) and is populated by stromal cells that contain a truncated CD200 (CD200S) that promotes a proinflammatory environment. The CD200S + cell population persists when pregnancy occurs and are abundant in the early pregnancy decidua of women with missed abortion. In the present study, CD200S +, CD56 +, and CD68 + cells were enumerated in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections from women with endometriosis and non-endometriosis controls. CD200S + cells were more numerous than CD68 + macrophages and were similar in number and location to CD56 bright endometrial NK cells. In some endometria, there was an additional population of CD200S - CD56 + NK cells. In ectopic endometrial peritoneal deposits and in ectopic myometrial deposits (adenomyosis), CD200S + cells were less frequent, consistent with the known paucity of CD56 + NK cells in sites of ectopic deposits. CD200S + cell frequency was greater in stroma surrounding the smaller ectopic cystic deposits. Dual immunofluorescent antibody staining confirmed CD200S + cells were CD56 + NK cells. CD200S + NK cell frequency may be greater in endometriosis patients' endometrium and may affect embryo survival in early pregnancy. In our opinion, regulation of alternative splicing that results in CD200S rather than CD200L may provide new diagnostic and therapeutic options for women with endometriosis. Highlights: A subpopulation of stromal leukocytes in secretory phase endometrium are CD200S + . CD200S counters immunosuppression by CD200L and may promote inflammation/rejection. CD200S + cells in endometrium are CD56 + uterine NK cells which persist in decidua. CD200S + uNK cells may facilitate ectopic endometrial implantation.