Human endometrium is infiltrated by natural killer (NK) cells throughout the menstrual cycle. The number of endometrial NK cells is low in the proliferative phase, but acutely increases after ovulation, and reaches a peak in the late secretory phase, suggesting that endometrium recruits these leukocytes selectively from circulating peripheral blood. ... More
Steroid receptor expression in uterine natural killer cells.
AuthorsHenderson TA, Saunders PT, Moffett-King A, Groome NP, Critchley HO,
JournalJ Clin Endocrinol Metab
PubMed ID12519888
The endometrium contains a unique subset of uterine-specific natural killer (uNK) cells, the proposed functions of which include a role in decidualization, menstruation, and implantation. These cells increase in number during the mid-late secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and are also present in large numbers in early pregnancy. The ... More