Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 1a activates dendritic cells to provide signals for Th17-, Th2-, and Treg-cell polarization

Because of their plasticity and central role in orchestrating immunity and tolerance, DCs can respond to pregnancy-specific signals, thus promoting the appropriate immune response in order to support pregnancy. Here, we show that pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG1a), the major variant of PSG released into the circulation during pregnancy, targets DCs to differentiate into a subset with a unique phenotype and function. This semi-mature phenotype is able to secrete IL-6 and TGF-β. PSG1a also affected the maturation of DCs, preventing the up-regulation of some costimulatory molecules, and inducing the secretion of TGF-β or IL-10 and the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in response to TLR-9 or CD40 ligation. In addition, PSG1a-treated DCs promoted the enrichment of Th2-type cytokines, IL-17-producing cells, and Treg cells from CD4(+) T cells from DO11.10 Tg mice. Moreover, in vivo expression of PSG1a promoted the expansion of Ag-specific CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg cells and IL-17-, IL-4-, IL-5-, and IL-10-secreting cells able to protect against Listeria monocytogenes infection. Taken together, our data indicate that DCs can be targeted by PSG1a to generate the signals necessary to mount an appropriate, well-balanced, and effective immune response able to protect against invading pathogens while at the same time being compatible with a successful pregnancy.