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

Shigeru Saito1, Akitoshi Nakashima, Mika Ito

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama-shi, Toyama 930-0194, Japan. s30saito@med.u-toyama.ac.jp

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.

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