DC-NK cell interactions are thought to influence the development of maternal
tolerance and de novo angiogenesis during early gestation. However, it is
unclear which mechanism ensures the cooperative dialogue between DC and NK
cells at the feto-maternal interface. In this article, we show that uterine NK
cells are the key source of IL-10 that is required to regulate DC phenotype
and pregnancy success. Upon in vivo expansion of DC during early gestation, NK
cells expressed increased levels of IL-10. Exogenous administration of IL-10
was sufficient to overcome early pregnancy failure in dams treated to achieve
simultaneous DC expansion and NK cell depletion. Remarkably, DC expansion in
IL-10−/− dams provoked pregnancy loss, which could be abrogated by the
adoptive transfer of IL-10+/+ NK cells and not by IL-10−/− NK cells.
Furthermore, the IL-10 expressing NK cells markedly enhanced angiogenic
responses and placental development in DC expanded IL-10−/− dams. Thus, the
capacity of NK cells to secrete IL-10 plays a unique role facilitating the DC-
NK cell dialogue during the establishment of a healthy gestation