Human Decidual Lymphocytes and their Placental Ligands

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The specific aims of this research are to examine the receptors, ligands, and functions of human decidual lymphocytes with a view to understanding their possible roles in implantation and pregnancy. In particular, we wish." . To examine the biochemistry and possible functions of novel proteins overexpressed by human decidual natural killer (NK) cells that may be involved in down-modulation of the immune response, to continue analysis of the transcriptional profiles of these cells and to study their cytoxicity and ability to secrete cytokines. . To assess the role of invariant NKT (iNKT) cells in the decidua by studying their interaction with CDld expressed on several cell types, by examining the relation of their V_ repertoire to cytokine secretion, by testing the hypothesis that they function to regulate the immune response at the maternal-fetal interface and by examining their complete transcriptional profiles. . To examine the expression in the placenta of putative Class I MHC protein ligands for decidual NK and iNKT cells and of the GM-CSF receptor and to examine the interaction of placental extravillous cytotrophoblasts with NK and iNKT cells and with GM-CSF.