Clinical implication of recent advances in our understanding of IL-17 and reproductive immunology

Abstract

The identification of a novel helper T (Th)-cell subset, the IL-17-producing Th (Th17) cells, has provided new insight into our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of reproduction. IL-17 has an important role in induction of the protective immune response against extracellular bacteria or fungal pathogens. Th17 cells seem to participate in successful pregnancy processes. Th17 cells also play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of endometriosis, miscarriage, preterm labor and preeclampsia. Recent data show the reciprocal development of pathways between Th1/Th17 subsets and between Th17/Treg subsets, and the imbalance of Th17/Treg development has been reported in recurrent pregnancy loss and preeclampsia.

Keywords::

• abortion
• endometriosis
• IL-17
• pregnancy
• preterm labor

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)-23390386) and Grant-in-Aid for challenging Exploratory Research-22659297) and grants from the Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare, Japan (Health Labour Sciences Research Grant – H22-jisedai-ippan-008, H22-nanchi-ippan-159, H22-kagaku-ippan-006, H22-rinkensui-ippan-013, H23-shinkou-ippan-016 and H23-jisedai-shitei-008). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.