Balancing IL-17: Implications for immune tolerance, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health

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.