New thesis provides new understanding of how the immune system in the uterus works

What is the main focus of your thesis?

My thesis focus on immune cells in the uterus and investigates various aspects of their phenotype and function and how the cells respond do changes during the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy. One of the studies included is a twin study where we looked at how genetics and environment shape the uterine immune system. We also investigated if a type of immune cell known to respond to bacterial infection could respond to Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the bacteria causing gonorrhea).

Which are the most important results?

We could show that a certain type of immune cell, so called MAIT cells, which are known to have antibacterial functions, can respond to sexually transmitted pathogens. To understand what influences the immune system in the uterus, we also studied healthy women over time and identical twins. This helped us to dissect how genetic factors and environmental factors, such as viral infection and use of anticonception, affect the uterine immune cells. This also increases our understanding of how the uterine immune system changes throughout a woman’s life. Another discovery within this thesis involved a type of immune cell (uterine NK cells) known to play a key role in preparing the uterus for pregnancy. We found that these cells don’t just stay the same throughout the menstrual cycle, but instead, they gradually change and adapt during the cycle. Late in the menstrual cycle these cells secrete factors that have been shown to support the development of blood vessels in the placenta, which supplies nutrients and oxygen to promote growth of the embryo. This process is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and the development of the placenta.

How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people’s health?

The studies provide important advances in our understanding of uterine immunology and important background knowledge for future studies. Our results provide new understanding of how the immune system in the uterus works to support both reproductive health and pregnancy. By learning more about the uterine immune system, we can take important steps toward improving women’s health and fertility. 

What are your future ambitions? 

My future ambitions include continuing my specialist training in Clinical immunology and transfusion medicine. I also plan to do postdoctoral research partly related to the work I have been doing during the PhD. I also hope to do more research connected to the clinic where I work and make meaningful contributions to this field. 

Dissertation

Friday, 15 november, at 09:30, in 9Q Månen, Alfred Nobels allé 8, Flemingsberg.

Thesis

Exploring Human Uterine Immune Cell Dynamics with a Focus on Natural Killer cells and MAIT cells