autologous decidual-like natural killer cells

Autologous decidual-like natural killer (dNK-like) cells are an investigational cell therapy developed by The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School for the treatment of reproductive disorders such as recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and recurrent implantation failure (RIF). The therapy involves isolating peripheral blood natural killer (pNK) cells from the patient and culturing them in vitro with a cocktail of cytokines, typically including TGF-β1 and IL-15, to induce a phenotype that mimics uterine decidual NK (dNK) cells. Unlike cytotoxic pNK cells, these dNK-like cells are characterized by a CD56^bright CD16^- phenotype and the secretion of pro-angiogenic and immunomodulatory factors such as VEGF and PLGF. When infused into the uterus, these cells are intended to promote spiral artery remodeling, facilitate embryo implantation, and establish a tolerant immune environment at the maternal-fetal interface, thereby supporting a successful pregnancy.

Other names

autologous dNK-like cellsdecidual-like natural killer cellsdNK-like cells