IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Decidual Natural Killer cells utilize the antimicrobial protein granulysin to control bacterial infection

Decidual Natural Killer cells utilize the antimicrobial protein granulysin to control bacterial infection

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The speaker described research on decidual natural killer (NK) cells at the fetal-maternal interface, focusing on how they protect pregnancy while avoiding damage to the placenta. Human NK cells remain abundant throughout gestation and appear highly activated, with many cytolytic granules. However, they do not normally kill trophoblasts or secrete inflammatory cytokines when interacting with them, helping preserve placental invasion and tolerance.<br /><br />When infection occurs, NK cells can become cytotoxic against infected maternal stromal cells, including cells infected with cytomegalovirus, but still spare infected trophoblasts. The main antimicrobial mechanism highlighted was granulysin, especially the 9 kD form, which decidual NK cells produce and secrete constitutively. Granulysin kills bacteria such as Listeria and E. coli without killing trophoblasts, through contact-dependent but degranulation-independent mechanisms.<br /><br />The lab is now investigating how placental signals, especially from extravillous trophoblasts, drive granulysin expression and NK-cell activation, with the goal of understanding and potentially harnessing this protective antimicrobial pathway therapeutically.

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Date April 17, 2026 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Room 253

Session Regulation of Immunity and Inflammation in the Genital Tract

Speaker Tamara Tilburgs

Track Mucosal And Regional Immunology (MUC)

Year 2026

Keywords

decidual NK cells

fetal-maternal interface

granulysin

trophoblast tolerance

placental immunity

April 17, 2026 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

253

Regulation of Immunity and Inflammation in the Genital Tract

Tamara Tilburgs

Mucosal And Regional Immunology (MUC)

2026