title: The transdifferentiation of regulatory T and Th17 cells in autoimmune/inflammatory diseases and its potential implications in pregnancy complications.
abstract: In the past decades, studies have shown that a balance between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells plays a major role in autoimmune/inflammatory diseases as well as pregnancy complications. Decreased number and function of Tregs, and increased number of Th17 cells which often have an opposed effect of Tregs, are associated with these conditions. Recently, the plasticity of Tregs and Th17 cells has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Hence, we summarize the current knowledge of Tregs and Th17 cells plasticity with an emphasis on their reciprocal transdifferentiation in autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. Moreover, the regulators of the Tregs-to-Th17 cells transdifferentiation are discussed as well. Finally, by reviewing the immuno-inflammatory status of pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia and unexplained recurrent pregnancy losses, a possibility of Tregs-to-Th17 cells transdifferentiation as an underlying immune-pathology of these conditions is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Research Institute, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Zhao-Zhao
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Guo-Qiang
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Research Institute, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwak-Kim
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Research Institute, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Ai-Hua
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-8533-8315
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Liao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Th17 cells; Tregs; autoimmune disease; inflammatory disease; pregnancy complications; transdifferentiation