Vogt-小柳原田病患者外周血Th17细胞的变化及意义

目的 探讨不同时期Vogt-小柳原田病(VKH)患者外周血Th17细胞的变化和白介素-17(IL-17)的水平及其意义。方法 选择30例VKH患者(17例活动期和13例静止期)及20例健康人(对照组)，抽取外周血，应用荧光定量PCR法检测RORγt的表达；分离外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)，应用细胞内细胞因子染色和流式细胞技术检测Th17细胞的数量，并将其培养后应用ELISA方法检测培养液上清液中IL-17的含量。结果 活动期VKH患者外周血Th17细胞的数量和其特异性转录因子RORγt的基因表达水平均明显高于静止期患者和正常对照组。同时活动期VKH患者外周血PBMC分泌的IL-17水平也明显高于静止期VKH患者及健康人，两者比较均差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。静止期VKH患者Th17细胞的数量和RORγt的基因表达水平及IL-17的含量与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05)。结论 活动期VKH患者Th17细胞数量增多，且IL-17的水平增高， 因此Th17细胞可能在VKH患者葡萄膜炎的发生中发挥重要的作用。

Alteration of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of patients with Vogt-koyanagi-Harada disease and its significance

Objective To investigate the alteration of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17 in patients with Vogt-koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) and their significance. Methods Blood samples were taken from 30 patients with VKH disease(17 with active uveitis and 13 with inactive uveitis) and 20 healthy control subjects. The proportion of Th17 cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analyzed with flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate mRNA expression of retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt). The level of IL-17 was determined by ELISA. Results Expression of RORγt mRNA, the proportion of Th17 cells and the level of IL-17 were significantly higher in VKH patients with active uveitis than in VKH patients with inactive uveitis and normal control subjects(P<0.05). While there was no difference between VKH patients with inactive uveitis and normal control subjects(P＞0.05). Conclusion Th17 cells and IL-17 increase in VKH patients with active uveitis and may be responsible for the development of uveitis in patients with VKH.