Fig. 6

Suggested g1 ILC functions in the pregnant mouse uterus. Eomes⁻CD49a⁺ ILC1s are dominant before puberty and specifically expand in second pregnancies, when the expression of CXCR6 is upregulated, marking them as potential memory cells. Eomes⁺CD49a⁺ NK cells (trNK) are most abundant during early pregnancy and may well be the cellular hub of uterine g1 at mid-gestation. They indeed showcase gene signatures of responsiveness to TGF-β, connections with trophoblast, epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells, leucocytes, as well as extracellular matrix. They also express genes involved in anaerobic glycolysis, lipid metabolism, iron transport and protein ubiquitination. Conventional NK cells expand late in gestation and may engage in crosstalk with trNK cells involving IL-18 and IFN-γ