HUMAN-LYMPHOCYTES OBTAINED FROM DECIDUAL TISSUE EXPRESS KILLER ACTIVATORY RECEPTORS AS WELL AS KILLER INHIBITORY RECEPTORS - ANALYSIS USINGA SINGLE-STRAND CONFORMATION POLYMORPHISM METHOD

PROBLEM: The objective was to clarify whether lymphocytes in decidual tissue express only killer inhibitory receptors (KIRs) or both KIRs an d killer activatory receptors (KARs). METHOD OF STUDY: A polymerase ch ain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) anal ysis method, using cDNA as a template, was applied to detect as many n atural killer receptors (NKRs) expressed on natural killer (NK) cells as possible and to distinguish between KIRs and KARs, Using this metho d, we analyzed NKRs on lymphocytes in decidual tissue and maternal per ipheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (n = 10) from the same individ uals. RESULTS: More than 20 SSCP bands were detected for NKRs on both the lymphocytes in decidual tissue and the maternal PBMCs. The SSCP ba nd patterns were different for each individual. KARs mRNA was detected in lymphocytes in decidual tissue according to the SSCP analysis resu lts. CONCLUSION: Lymphocytes in decidual tissue express not only KIRs but also KARs; this finding suggests their roles in placentation and t he maintenance of pregnancy.