Balancing IL-17: Implications for immune tolerance, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health
Issued Date
2026-06-01
Resource Type
ISSN
01650378
eISSN
18727603
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105035004842
Journal Title
Journal of Reproductive Immunology
Volume
175
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Reproductive Immunology Vol.175 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Soongsathitanon J., Pongcharoen S. Balancing IL-17: Implications for immune tolerance, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health. Journal of Reproductive Immunology Vol.175 (2026). doi:10.1016/j.jri.2026.104888 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/116192
Title
Balancing IL-17: Implications for immune tolerance, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health
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Abstract
Interleukin-17 (IL-17), a pro-inflammatory cytokine best known for its role in autoimmune disease, has emerged as a key immunomodulator in pregnancy. Its presence at the maternal–fetal interface reflects a finely tuned balance in which IL-17 contributes not only to host defense and tissue remodeling but also to processes essential for early gestation, including trophoblast invasion, angiogenesis, and immune tolerance. However, excessive or dysregulated IL-17 activity is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preeclampsia, preterm labor, miscarriage, and fetal growth restriction. IL-17 is also implicated in pregnancy-related manifestations of maternal autoimmune diseases, highlighting its relevance in both maternal health and fetal development. This review synthesizes current evidence on the physiological and pathological roles of IL-17 across the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, integrates findings from human and animal studies, and discusses emerging clinical applications, including its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target in infertility and assisted reproductive technologies. Understanding the context-dependent actions of IL-17 may provide new opportunities to improve reproductive outcomes and guide future translational research in reproductive immunology.