IFN-γ induces aberrant CD49b⁺ NK cell recruitment through regulating CX3CL1: a novel mechanism by which IFN-γ provokes pregnancy failure

Cell Death Dis. 2014 Nov 6;5(11):e1512. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2014.470.

Abstract

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a pleiotropic lymphokine, has important regulatory effects on many cell types. Although IFN-γ is essential for the initiation of uterine vascular modifications and maintenance of decidual integrity, IFN-γ administration can also cause pregnancy failure in many species. However, little is known about the effector mechanisms involved. In this study, using an IFN-γ-induced abortion mouse model, we reported that no Dolichos biflorus agglutinin lectin-positive uterine natural killer (uNK) cells were observed in the uteri from IFN-γ-induced abortion mice. By contrast, the percentage of CD3(-)CD49b(+) NK cells in the uterus and blood from a foetal resorption group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Similarly, significantly upregulated expression of CD49b (a pan-NK cell marker), CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 (CX3CL1 receptor) was detected in the uteri of IFN-γ-induced abortion mice. Using isolated uterine stromal cells, we showed that upregulated expression of CX3CL1 by IFN-γ was dependent on a Janus family kinase 2-signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (JAK2-STAT1) pathway. We further demonstrated the chemotactic activity of CX3CL1 in uterine stromal cell conditioned medium on primary splenic NK cells. Finally, we observed increased recruitment of CD49b(+) NK cells into the endometrium after exogenous CX3CL1 administration. Collectively, our findings indicate that IFN-γ can significantly increase uterine CX3CL1 expression via activation of the JAK2-STAT1 pathway, thus inducing CD49b(+) NK cell uterine homing, and eventually provoke foetal loss. Thus, we provide a new line of evidence correlating the deleterious effects of IFN-γ on pregnancy with the aberrant regulation of CX3CL1 and CD49b(+) NK cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced*
  • Animals
  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CX3CL1 / genetics
  • Chemokine CX3CL1 / metabolism*
  • Chemokine CX3CL1 / pharmacology
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects
  • Female
  • Fetus
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Integrin alpha2 / genetics*
  • Integrin alpha2 / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology*
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Janus Kinase 2 / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / cytology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Pregnancy
  • Receptors, Chemokine / genetics
  • Receptors, Chemokine / metabolism
  • Receptors, Mitogen / genetics
  • Receptors, Mitogen / metabolism
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stromal Cells / cytology
  • Stromal Cells / drug effects
  • Stromal Cells / metabolism*
  • Uterus / cytology
  • Uterus / drug effects
  • Uterus / metabolism*

Substances

  • CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1
  • Chemokine CX3CL1
  • Cx3cl1 protein, mouse
  • Cx3cr1 protein, mouse
  • Dolichos biflorus lectin receptor
  • Integrin alpha2
  • Receptors, Chemokine
  • Receptors, Mitogen
  • STAT1 Transcription Factor
  • Stat1 protein, mouse
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Jak2 protein, mouse
  • Janus Kinase 2