{"title":"Interleukin-6 Downregulates T Helper 17 Cytokines via Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 at the Maternal-Fetal Interface","authors":"Xinke Tang, Shouli Dao, Jin Luo, Xiaojuan Chen, Yuhong Weng, Guangbin Yin, Ziwen Xiao, Shuyun Zhao, Guanyou Huang","doi":"10.1111/aji.70289","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70289","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) are established inducers of pathogenic T helper 17 (Th17) cells from naïve T cells. In the maternal-fetal compartment, IL-6 signaling elevates levels of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1). This study investigated whether IL-6 regulates Th17 cytokine production through IDO1.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Human decidua and chorionic villi (HDCV) were collected from normal early pregnant women undergoing elective termination. For HDCV culture, explants were treated with increasing doses of IL-6 (0–50 ng/mL) or co-treated with IL-6 and the IDO1 inhibitor 1-methyltryptophan (1-MT) for 24 h. HDCV were also treated with IL-6 (5 ng/mL) alone or in combination with TGF-β (0.01–0.1 ng/mL) for 24 h. Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) mice were intraperitoneally injected with IL-6 (2, 10, or 50 ng/mL), alone or combined with 1-MT and/or Cosentyx, from gestational day (GD) 0.5 to 8. Protein expression levels of IL-6, IDO1, IL-17, and IL-22 were assessed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Embryo absorption rate (EAR) was calculated on GD 12.5. Cytokine concentrations in supernatants or serum were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In HDCV tissues, IL-6 positively correlated with IDO1 and negatively correlated with IL-17/IL-22. Exogenous IL-6 dose-dependently upregulated IDO1 and suppressed IL-17/IL-22 in cultured explants, effects reversed by 1-MT. Physiological TGF-β1 (0.01–0.1 ng/mL) enhanced IL-6-induced IDO1 upregulation and Th17 cytokine suppression. In RPL mice, IL-6 reduced EAR and placental IL-17/IL-22 expression while increasing IDO1; these effects were blocked by 1-MT and restored by Cosentyx.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>During normal pregnancy, IL-6 alone or the combination of IL-6 and TGF-β at the maternal-fetal interface may inhibit Th17 cytokine production by upregulating IDO1 expression, thereby maintaining pregnancy stability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148443730","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachel K. Scott, Mark A. Marzinke, Jessica L. Prodger, Anna M. Powell, Amel E. Attalla, Mimi Ghosh
{"title":"Special Issue: New Horizons in HIV and Reproductive Health Research: HIV Acquisition and Reproductive Health in Key Populations","authors":"Rachel K. Scott, Mark A. Marzinke, Jessica L. Prodger, Anna M. Powell, Amel E. Attalla, Mimi Ghosh","doi":"10.1111/aji.70280","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70280","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite tremendous scientific breakthroughs in the prevention of HIV in the past decade, considerable gaps in knowledge persist regarding biologic vulnerabilities among the key populations who bear the greatest burden of the global HIV pandemic. Key conditions and subgroups with increased susceptibility to HIV include transgender and gender diverse persons and cisgender women—specifically during pregnancy, those who are survivors of sexual violence and female sex workers. Across groups, increased vulnerability to HIV is related to both increased physiologic susceptibility as well as synergistic social vulnerabilities, such as social marginalization and shifts or discordance in power dynamics in sexual and interpersonal relationships—which can both increase exposure to HIV and decrease access to and utilization of HIV prevention modalities (e.g., HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis, and barrier protection). In this review we examine epidemiology, immune system and hormonal regulation, microbiome, and known gaps in science associated with HIV acquisition among these key populations/conditions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148429717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Future of the HIV Response: Sustaining Progress in an era of Political Uncertainty and Scientific Opportunity","authors":"Mitchell Warren","doi":"10.1111/aji.70287","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70287","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global HIV response is at a pivotal juncture. The field is experiencing a paradox: rapid scientific innovation alongside increasing fragility in financing, political commitment, and implementation systems. Significant progress has been made in expanding access to HIV treatment and prevention, but major gaps in coverage and equity existed previously, that were further exacerbated and destabilized by changes in US government support in January 2025. This commentary examines the implications of this divergence and argues that the future of the HIV response depends less on new biomedical discoveries than on the capacity to deliver existing and emerging options sustainably and with speed, scale and equity. Drawing on recent advances in HIV prevention and treatment, as well as massive disruptions and cuts in both global health programs, including PEPFAR, and biomedical research funding under the new US Presidential Administration, the paper identifies key priorities for the next phase of the response, including strengthening health systems, ensuring equitable access, re-centering community leadership, and securing long-term political and financial commitments. Without decisive action, the gains of the past four decades risk stagnation or, worse, actual reversal; with it, the goal of ending the HIV epidemic may still be achievable.</p>","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aji.70287","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148417915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thrombotic Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Long Term Follow-up of Patients With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Antiphospholipid Antibodies From the APS 1994 Study","authors":"Minami Ashio, Tamao Kitaori, Yoshitaka Yano, Chihiro Banno, Shoko Ide, Hiroyuki Yoshihara, Shinobu Goto, Takahiro Otani, Mayumi Sugiura-Ogasawara","doi":"10.1111/aji.70285","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70285","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Problem</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There is a paucity of studies on the incidence and predictors of thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) after pregnancy in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). This prospective study aimed to assess the long-term prognosis, including the occurrence of thrombosis and associated risk factors, in patients with aPL-positive RPL and related obstetric APS manifestations.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method of Study</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We examined patients with RPL and related obstetric APS manifestations who were positive for lupus anticoagulant (LA) based on APTT, Russell's viper venom time (RVVT), or β2glycoprotein I-dependent anticardiolipin antibody (β2GPIaCL) IgG and visited Nagoya City University Hospital from 1994 to 2019. A survey was conducted in 2024 in which patients were asked to complete a questionnaire on the development of APS manifestations based on the American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology classification criteria.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data of 259 of 285 patients (90.5%) who responded to the questionnaire were analysed. The median follows-up duration was 17 (4.6–31.1) years. Cumulatively, 9.6% (25/259) of patients with aPLs and 15.7% (18/114) of those with obstetric APS experienced thrombotic APS. LA-APTT, LA-RVVT, and β2GPIaCL IgG were independent predictors of thrombotic APS, with area under the curve values of 0.85 (0.73–0.97), 0.93 (0.87–0.99), and 0.80 (0.68–0.93), respectively. A history of intrauterine foetal death, early-onset preeclampsia, no live birth, thrombosis and complications of systematic lupus erythematosus, and persistent aPL were predictive of thrombotic APS.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Patients with RPL and aPL who exhibit the identified risk factors should undergo subsequent follow-up after pregnancy. Further research is required to investigate the potential for thrombosis prevention.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aji.70285","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148417961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jinny Tsang, Rachel Liu, Rameen Jamil, Ronald Moses Galiwango, Brenda Okech, Sanja Huibner, Marcio Gabriel A. de Carvalho, Lane B. Buchanan, Cindy M. Liu, Aaron A. R. Tobian, Jessica L. Prodger, Rupert Kaul
{"title":"HIV Transmission and Immunology of the Male Reproductive Tract","authors":"Jinny Tsang, Rachel Liu, Rameen Jamil, Ronald Moses Galiwango, Brenda Okech, Sanja Huibner, Marcio Gabriel A. de Carvalho, Lane B. Buchanan, Cindy M. Liu, Aaron A. R. Tobian, Jessica L. Prodger, Rupert Kaul","doi":"10.1111/aji.70266","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70266","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The penile epithelium, encompassing multiple anatomical sites, is the primary location of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition in heterosexual men. Although the per-contact risk of penile HIV acquisition is generally low, substantial global discrepancies in HIV prevalence still exist, particularly in low-income regions. In uncircumcised men, the immune milieu of the subpreputial space is a key determinant of HIV risk, with inflammation-mediated epithelial disruption and target cell recruitment facilitating viral infection. Specific bacterial components of the penile microbiome cause local inflammation and enhance susceptibility, while penile circumcision reduces HIV risk by both removing susceptible foreskin tissues and reducing the abundance of these bacteria. The penile urethra is also an important site of HIV acquisition, particularly among circumcised men, but determinants of urethral susceptibility remain poorly understood. Penile-vaginal sex induces transient inflammation and epithelial damage at both the subpreputial space and urethra, likely mediated by mechanical effects and/or the sexual exchange of pro-inflammatory bacteria. This review summarizes knowledge regarding the immunological and microbial determinants of penile HIV acquisition risk, highlights biological factors and sexual practices that shape the penile immune milieu, and discusses current advances in microbiome-targeting interventions as potential HIV prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aji.70266","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148409992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correction to “Placental Extracellular Vesicles Inhibit the Progression of Endometriosis by Inducing Ferroptosis”","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/aji.70271","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70271","url":null,"abstract":"<p>M. Qin, C. Chen, Y. Wu, L. Wang, Q. Chen, and M. Zhao, “Placental Extracellular Vesicles Inhibit the Progression of Endometriosis by Inducing Ferroptosis,” <i>American Journal of Reproductive Immunology</i> 95, no. 5 (2026): e70256. https://doi.org/10.1111/aji.70256.</p><p>In Figures 2, 3, and 4, the extracellular vesicle concentration unit “nM” was incorrect. This should have read: “µg.” Accordingly, all occurrences of “nM” in Figures 2, 3, and 4 should be replaced with “µg.” This error was inadvertently introduced during data preparation and figure assembly and does not affect the experimental data, statistical analyses, interpretation of the results, or the conclusions of the study.</p><p>The corrected figures are provided on the following page.</p><p>We apologize for this error.</p>","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aji.70271","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148409953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Complete Blood Count—Derived Inflammatory Indices and Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnancies With Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes: A Retrospective Cohort Study","authors":"Orhan Altinboga, Atakan Tanacan, Fahri Burcin Firatligil, Huseyin Kayaalp, Zahid Agaoglu, Nazli Bayraktar, Salim Erkaya, Dilek Sahin","doi":"10.1111/aji.70284","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70284","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with significant maternal and neonatal morbidity, and reliable prognostic biomarkers remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of complete blood count–derived inflammatory indices in pregnancies complicated by PPROM.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This retrospective cohort study included 256 singleton PPROM pregnancies managed at a tertiary perinatology center between January 2022 and January 2025. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic immune response index (SIRI), and pan-immune inflammation value (PIV) were calculated from admission blood samples. Previable PPROM cases were analyzed for prediction of birth weight <1000 g, whereas viable PPROM cases were evaluated for prediction of latency period <4 weeks. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In previable PPROM, NLR and SII were significantly higher in cases with birth weight <1000 g. ROC analysis demonstrated moderate predictive performance for NLR (AUC 0.76) and SII (AUC 0.75). In viable PPROM cases, higher NLR, SIRI, and PIV were associated with latency <4 weeks, although predictive accuracy was modest (AUC range 0.60–0.63). SII showed potential predictive value for chorioamnionitis (AUC 0.79). However, inflammatory indices did not remain significant predictors in multivariable regression analyses.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Complete blood count–derived inflammatory indices may provide additional information for risk stratification in PPROM; however, their independent prognostic value appears limited and should be interpreted together with clinical findings.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148395612","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Critical Review of the Impact of Maternal Obesity on Postpartum Inflammatory and Hormonal Profiles","authors":"Dua Jabbar","doi":"10.1111/aji.70282","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70282","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148389771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
C. F. Bannwart-Castro, M. Romao-Veiga, V. R. Ribeiro-Vasques, M. T. S. Peracoli, J. C. Peracoli
{"title":"Silibinin Modulates NF-κB Activation and Heat Shock Protein in Preeclampsia-Like Rat Model","authors":"C. F. Bannwart-Castro, M. Romao-Veiga, V. R. Ribeiro-Vasques, M. T. S. Peracoli, J. C. Peracoli","doi":"10.1111/aji.70275","DOIUrl":"10.1111/aji.70275","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Problem</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious human pregnancy complication and remains the most complex hypertensive disorder due to its multifactorial nature and multisystemic effects. Despite the incomplete understanding of the PE pathophysiology, it is well-accepted that placental changes in PE are associated with oxidative stress, increasing the excessive production of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators. Thus, agents such as silibinin, a non-toxic natural polyphenolic flavonoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties could modulate this profile for better disease resolution. This study aimed to investigate the effect of silibinin treatment on Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced PE in rats, exploring its potential as a preventive anti-inflammatory agent.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods of Study</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Pregnant Wistar rats were treated or not during gestation (days 10–19) with L-NAME (70–80 mg/kg/day) in drinking water and with silibinin (100 mg/kg/day, orally) starting on days 0, 7 or 14 of pregnancy. Systolic blood pressure was recorded on gestation days 0 and 20. The rats were euthanized on day 20. Then, we evaluated proteinuria, maternal weight gain, and litter weight. Tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and NF-κB activity were determined in liver and placenta homogenates.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Our findings indicated that silibinin treatment decreased the production of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and reduced Hsp70 levels in the placenta and liver homogenate. NF-κB activation was also decreased in these organs of silibinin-treated groups, especially in the LN+SB0 and LN+SB7 groups.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study introduces a novel use of silibinin as a preventive agent in a PE-like model that reproduces essential features of human PE, providing physiological relevance to the findings. Overall, our data emphasize the translational potential of silibinin for PE prevention, showing promising effects on key inflammatory and stress-related pathways.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":7665,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Reproductive Immunology","volume":"96 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/aji.70275","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148374094","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}