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Centre for Reproductive Immunology and Pregnancy
CRP Clinic
Natural Killer Cells and Cytokines
Patient information leaflet
Your consultant has asked you to have the natural killer cells and cytokines blood tests
done.
The immune system is complex -- different types of immune cells and proteins do
different jobs. The blood tests are further explained in this information sheet and will
hopefully help you understand why these tests are requested from you.
1.
Natural Killer cells:
The function of the natural killers is the ability to identify and then kill foreign or
abnormal cells.
Advances in immunology, the study of the body's defence systems, enable us to
understand how during pregnancy, the mother's immune system is altered so that the
foetus is not rejected by her body and allows the foetus to grow.
The natural killer assay panel helps us to assess the ‘killing power’ of the natural killer
cells.
It is advised that the natural killer cell activity is measured in women with a history of
recurrent pregnancy loss and/or recurrent failed IVF’s.
Immune treatment for NK cells:
Raised Natural Killer cells: Natural killer cells will be treated with additional medication
during your treatment cycles.
1.
Prednisolone 25mg
2.
Clexane 40mg
3.
Possible intralipid infusion
2.
Cytokines
Implantation failure of the embryo might be the result from the environment in the
uterus. Proteins (cytokines) are secreted by the endometrium which can result in a pro
or anti-inflammatory environment. The cytokine blood tests these levels.
Document name: Natural Killer Cells InformationMr Hassan Shehata
Document number PO11
Version 1 pages 2
Author: Mr Hassan Shehata
Date created: 18 June 2015
Review date 18 June 2018
Centre for Reproductive Immunology and Pregnancy
CRP Clinic
Natural Killer Cells and Cytokines
Patient information leaflet
Natural Killer Cells and Cytokines
Immune treatment for the cytokine
Raised Cytokines:
A raised cytokine level will cause a delay in your treatment. The first level of treatment
in raised levels is the Humira treatment (see attached information).The second level of
treatment is that as described above in the treatment of the natural killer cells.
Before we can start humira, we need a TBQ test. This is required as tuberculosis can
lead to a flare up of latent tuberculosis. Therefore your TBQ test needs to be negative to
be able to commence humira treatment.
We will also need you to sign a consent form before starting humira treatment.
The humira contains of two injections a month. One to be taken straight away when
received and the second injection is two weeks later. Two weeks after the last injection,
you will have to repeat the cytokines levels.
In 95% of the cases the levels will go down, although in 5% of the cases the levels flair
up and a second dosage of humira will be needed followed by another cytokine level
test. There is always a maximum of two months of humira. After the second round of
humira, treatment will commence with additional medication to calm the immune
system down. These medications are: clexane 40mg, prednisolone 25mg and a possible
intralipid infusion.
Document name: Natural Killer Cells InformationMr Hassan Shehata
Document number PO11
Version 1 pages 2
Author: Mr Hassan Shehata
Date created: 18 June 2015
Review date 18 June 2018