engleski

Th 1 Cytokines and LAK activity at the maternal-fetal interface

Problem. Lymphokine activated killer cells (LAK cells) do not represent a separate cell line but the level of T and NK lymphocyte activation by Th1 type lymphokines. LAK cells express stronger cytolytic activity to different NK sensitive and NK resistant cell lines as a result of upregulation of cytolytic mediators in these cells. Perforin and FasL-Fas are the main mediators in acute cytolytic pathway. The aim is to examine decidual lymphocytes (DL) cytotoxic activity against NK sensitive and NK resistant but LAK sensitive cell lines to obtain an insight to the level of their activation. Methods. First trimester pregnancy decidual and peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained from elective termination of pregnancy. Cytolytic potential of DL and PBL was detected against PKH-26 (orange) labeled K-562 (NK sensitive line) and P-815 and P-815 Fas transfected (NK resistant) cell lines by flow cytometry. Results. PBL are cytotoxic against K-562 cell line but were not efficient in lysing NK resistant lines. Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IL-12, IL-18) upregulate cytolytic activity of PBL against P-815Fas line. Nonstimulated DL cultured 18 hours in the medium only showed substantial cytotoxicity to both K562 and P815 lines and cytotoxicity against P815 Fas transfected line was significantly higher than against P815. Conclusion. These results indicate that FasL/Fas cytolytic pathway is involved in DL mediated cytotoxicity and that DL are equipped with other cytolytic molecules besides perforin.

perforin; FasL-Fas; decidual lymphocytes; peripheral blood lymphocytes; IL-2; IL-12; IL-18

DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0897.2002.00340.x