@article{c7f87c272b0f495c92e56700cdc4dfb9,
title = "Interferon-epsilon is a novel regulator of NK cell responses in the uterus",
abstract = "The uterus is a unique mucosal site where immune responses are balanced to be permissive of a fetus, yet protective against infections. Regulation of natural killer (NK) cell responses in the uterus during infection is critical, yet no studies have identified uterine-specific factors that control NK cell responses in this immune-privileged site. We show that the constitutive expression of IFNε in the uterus plays a crucial role in promoting the accumulation, activation, and IFNγ production of NK cells in uterine tissue during Chlamydia infection. Uterine epithelial IFNε primes NK cell responses indirectly by increasing IL-15 production by local immune cells and directly by promoting the accumulation of a pre-pro-like NK cell progenitor population and activation of NK cells in the uterus. These findings demonstrate the unique features of this uterine-specific type I IFN and the mechanisms that underpin its major role in orchestrating innate immune cell protection against uterine infection.",
keywords = "Chlamydia Infection, Female Reproductive Tract, Interferon-Epsilon, Natural Killer Cell, Type I Interferon",
author = "Mayall, {Jemma R.} and Horvat, {Jay C.} and Mangan, {Niamh E.} and Anne Chevalier and Huw McCarthy and Daniel Hampsey and Chantal Donovan and Brown, {Alexandra C.} and Matthews, {Antony Y.} and {de Weerd}, {Nicole A.} and {de Geus}, {Eveline D.} and Starkey, {Malcolm R.} and Kim, {Richard Y.} and Katie Daly and Goggins, {Bridie J.} and Simon Keely and Steven Maltby and Rennay Baldwin and Foster, {Paul S.} and Boyle, {Michael J.} and Tanwar, {Pradeep S.} and Huntington, {Nicholas D.} and Hertzog, {Paul J.} and Hansbro, {Philip M.}",
note = "Funding Information: This work was funded by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia to PMH, PJH, and JCH (1059242, 1003591) and by MJB via the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). PMH is funded by a Fellowship and Investigator grant from the NHMRC (1079187, 1175134). We thank Tegan Hunter (research assistant, University of Newcastle), Nicole Cole (Central Analytical Facilities, University of Newcastle), and the staff of the University of Newcastle BioResearch Facilities for their technical assistance and support. Funding Information: This work was funded by grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia to PMH, PJH, and JCH (1059242, 1003591) and by MJB via the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). PMH is funded by a Fellowship and Investigator grant from the NHMRC (1079187, 1175134). We thank Tegan Hunter (research assistant, University of Newcastle), Nicole Cole (Central Analytical Facilities, University of Newcastle), and the staff of the University of Newcastle BioResearch Facilities for their technical assistance and support. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Crown 2024.",
year = "2024",
month = feb,
day = "15",
doi = "10.1038/s44321-023-00018-6",
language = "English",
volume = "16",
pages = "267--293",
journal = "EMBO Molecular Medicine",
issn = "1757-4684",
publisher = "EMBO Press",
number = "2",
}