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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2022; 12(23); 3373; doi: 10.3390/ani12233373

Populations of NK Cells and Regulatory T Cells in the Endometrium of Cycling Mares-A Preliminary Study.

Abstract: Endometrial immune cells are essential to support uterine functions across the estrous cycle and in preparation for pregnancy. It has been acknowledged that changes in phenotype and/or numbers of lymphocytes, such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and NK cells, might result in lower fertility in women and mice. Little is known about equine endometrial immune cells across the estrous cycle. Here, we compared the populations of endometrial Tregs and NK cells in estrus and diestrus in mares. Endometrial biopsy and blood samples were taken in estrus and diestrus from 11 mares ages 4-12 years. Flow cytometry with anti-CD4, -CD25 and -FOXP3 and anti-NKp46 and -CD3 antibodies was used to determine the populations of Tregs and NK cells, respectively. The concentration of progesterone was measured with chemiluminescence immunoassay. The results were analyzed with paired Student tests. The mean percentage of endometrial CD4FOXP3 Tregs was 13.7 ± 6.2% in diestrus and 14.5 ± 5.9% in estrus, while the mean percentage of endometrial CD4FOXP3CD25 Tregs changed from 3.6 ± 2.1% in diestrus to 2 ± 2% in estrus ( = 0.0947). The mean proportion of CD3NKp46 lymphocytes in the endometrium was not significantly different, with 6 ± 1% in estrus and 6.5 ± 1.4% in diestrus. There was a large variation in the percentage of NK cells between mares of 2.1-12.7%. This study showed, for the first time, the presence of CD4FOXP3CD25 Tregs and CD3NKp46 NK cells in the endometrium of non-pregnant cycling mares. The percentage of Tregs, and to a greater extent NK cells, showed large fluctuations between mares. Both Tregs and NK cells might be important for the preparation of the endometrium for semen deposition and pregnancy; however, further research is required.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-30 PubMed ID: 36496894PubMed Central: PMC9740928DOI: 10.3390/ani12233373Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study explores the populations of certain immune cells (regulatory T cells and NK cells) in the endometrium of mares during different stages of their reproductive cycle. The study ascertains the presence of these cells and their potential role in fertility, foundational knowledge for future research looking at improving fertility in mares.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to compare the populations of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and NK cells in the endometrium of mares during both the estrus and diestrus phases of the estrous cycle.

Study Design and Participants

  • Endometrial biopsy and blood samples were taken from 11 mares of varying ages (between 4 and 12 years) during both their estrus and diestrus phases.

Methodology

  • The researchers utilized a lab technique known as flow cytometry, along with specific antibodies targeting CD4, CD25, FOXP3, NKp46, and CD3 markers, to identify and quantify the populations of Tregs and NK cells in the samples.
  • The team also measured the concentration of progesterone, a hormone that plays an important role in the mare’s reproductive cycle, using a chemiluminescence immunoassay.
  • The results were then statistically analysed using paired Student t-tests.

Findings of the Study

  • The study demonstrated for the first time the presence of CD4FOXP3CD25 Tregs and CD3NKp46 NK cells in the endometrium of non-pregnant, cycling mares.
  • The proportions of these cells varied significantly amongst individual mares, particularly the NK cells, with quantities ranging between 2.1% and 12.7%.
  • There was no significant difference in the proportion of these cells between the estrus and diestrus phases of the reproductive cycle.

Implications of the Study

  • The study suggests that both Tregs and NK cells potentially play important roles in preparing the endometrium for semen deposition and pregnancy in mares.
  • The presence of these cells and their variations in mare endometrium adds to the limited existing knowledge and provides grounds for further research, particularly in determining their roles in the fertility of mares.

Cite This Article

APA
Jaworska J, de Mestre AM, Wiśniewska J, Wagner B, Nowicki A, Kowalczyk-Zięba I, Wocławek-Potocka I. (2022). Populations of NK Cells and Regulatory T Cells in the Endometrium of Cycling Mares-A Preliminary Study. Animals (Basel), 12(23), 3373. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233373

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 23
PII: 3373

Researcher Affiliations

Jaworska, Joanna
  • Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-747 Olsztyn, Poland.
de Mestre, Amanda M
  • Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.
Wiśniewska, Joanna
  • Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Analysis and Imaging, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-747 Olsztyn, Poland.
Wagner, Bettina
  • Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Nowicki, Arkadiusz
  • Private Veterinary Practice Arkadiusz Nowicki, 10-684 Olsztyn, Poland.
Kowalczyk-Zięba, Ilona
  • Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-747 Olsztyn, Poland.
Wocławek-Potocka, Izabela
  • Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-747 Olsztyn, Poland.

Grant Funding

  • NCN grant 2020/36/C/NZ9/00192 / National Science Center

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Satué K, La Fauci D, Medica P, Damiá Gímenez E, Cravana C, Fazio E. Shifts between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory profiles in pregnant mares: a review of physiological functions. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1660759.
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