Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells and recurrent miscarriage : a pilot randomised controlled trial of prednisolone in women with high uNK cells and recurrent miscarriage

Tang, Ai-Wei (2014) Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells and recurrent miscarriage : a pilot randomised controlled trial of prednisolone in women with high uNK cells and recurrent miscarriage. Doctor of Philosophy thesis, University of Liverpool.

	PDF TangAiW_June2014_18633.pdf - Submitted version Access to this file is embargoed until Unspecified. After the embargo period this will be available under License Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives. Download (4MB)
	PDF TangAiW_June2014_18633_(Abridged_version).pdf - Author Accepted Manuscript Available under License Creative Commons Attribution No Derivatives. Download (3MB)

Abstract

Recurrent miscarriage (RM) is stressful. One reason for this is because no causes can be found for the pregnancy loss in the majority of cases. Focus has been on the endometrium which undergoes decidualisation in preparation for implantation. Any problems in the finely organised interactions between the endometrium and invading trophoblast cells may contribute towards a miscarriage. Immunological mechanisms are thought to be one of the pathways involved as there is the need of maternal adaptation of her immune response to the semi-allogenic developing embryo. Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are the most abundant in the endometrium during the window of implantation. They interact with trophoblast cells, and are involved in vascular remodelling, an important step in implantation. Hence, they have a biological plausibility of playing a major role in RM. Both peripheral NK (pNK) and uNK cells tests have been developed as assessments of immunological causes of RM. A systematic review performed showed inadequate evidence for both pNK and uNK cells tests as markers for adverse pregnancy outcomes. There were only twelve studies, with 446 patients reporting pregnancy outcomes. There was no accepted consensus of ... (continues)

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy)
Additional Information:	Date: 2014-06 (completed)
Subjects:	?? RG ??
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	08 Aug 2014 08:51
Last Modified:	17 Aug 2024 02:51
DOI:	10.17638/00018633
Supervisors:	Alfirevic, Zarko Turner, Mark
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/18633