Responsividade das Células Natural Killer Uterinas DBA+ e alterações comportamentais frente ao Tratamento com Ciclofosfamida

Abstract

During pregnancy, we observed an influx of lymphocytes into the region of mice mesometrial decidua. These cells are natural killer cells (NK), presenting different behavior and phenotype of circulating NK cells. Uterine Natural Killer Cells (uNK) play important roles in early pregnancy, such as maintaining maternal tolerance to the fetus, angiogenesis and remodeling of the spiral arteries. Their cytolytic capacity is reduced during pregnancy and can be activated if there is an imbalance between pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Cyclophosphamide is a drug used in treating autoimmune diseases and cancer. It is known that it is a teratogen, and its use can lead to macroscopic and microscopic changes, as well as the reduction of viability pregnancy in mice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cyclophosphamide in the uterus and in cells uNK (morphological analysis, cytochemistry and stereological) on the 10th ddg, as well as its effects on behavior related to depression and anxiety. Our results showed that cyclophosphamide rapidly increased uNK cells number in the uterus as well as decreased expression of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in their granules and surface, early reaching less differentiated uNK cells near the mesometrium, and latter more differentiated uNK cells closer to the embryo. His dramatic effect on pregnancy still caused a decreasing in the number of uNK cells 48 after the drug administration, concomitant with the appearance of many resorption implantation sites, decreasing of gestational viability, as well as, establishment of sickness-like behavior, causing 100% of embryo loss diagnosed in the pregnancy to term.