title: TH17 cells in human recurrent pregnancy loss and pre-eclampsia.
abstract: T helper 17 (TH17) cells have been identified as a new lineage of helper T cells and have been shown to be important in host defense against extracellular infectious agents, autoimmune disease and chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently, TH17 cells have also been shown to participate in successful pregnancy, as well as in the pathogenesis of diseases of pregnancy, such as recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and pre-eclampsia (PE). Here, we review our current knowledge of TH17 cells in human RSA and PE. We also discuss how the local uterine microenvironment affects the differentiation of TH17 cells and the mechanisms that regulate TH17 cells during pregnancy. Research into TH17 cells will not only advance our understanding of TH17-related pregnancy complications, but will also facilitate the design of novel therapies for reproductive diseases.
authors.affiliation: 1] Institute of Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China [2] Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Binqing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: 1] Institute of Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China [2] Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: 1] Institute of Immunology, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China [2] Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Hefei, China.
authors.forename: Haiming
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000026:Abortion, Habitual / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology*