T helper 17 (Th17) cells have both regulatory and protective roles in physiological conditions. The Th17 subset and the cytokine interleukin-17A (IL-17A) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases, several types of cancer and allograft rejection. However, the role of Th17 cells at the maternal/fetal interface remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Th17 cells are present in decidua and are increased in the peripheral blood of 10 clinically normal pregnancies based on intracellular cytokine analysis. Our results suggest a potential role of Th17 cells in sustaining pregnancy in humans. Furthermore, we demonstrate that decidual stromal cells (DSCs) but not trophoblast cells recruit peripheral Th17 cells into the decidua by secreting CCL2. The recruited Th17 cells promote proliferation and invasion and inhibit the apoptosis of human trophoblast cells by secreting IL-17 during the first trimester of pregnancy. These findings indicate a novel role for Th17 cells in controlling the maternal-fetal relationship and placenta development.
