慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎患者外周血Th17的检测及意义

目的:探讨慢性淋巴细胞性甲状腺炎(CLT)患者外周血辅助性T细胞17(Th17)的水平及意义.方法:收集甲状腺功能正常组CLT患者15例,甲状腺功能减退组CLT患者30例及20例健康对照组研究者的外周血样.采用胞内细胞因子染色流式细胞术(FCM)分析法,检测各组外周血Th17细胞占CD4+T细胞比值.应用电化学发光法检测CLT患者及健康对照组血清中抗甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPO-Ab)和抗甲状球蛋白抗体(TG-Ab)水平.结果:与健康对照组比较:甲状腺功能正常组及甲状腺功能减退组的CLT患者外周血Th17/CD4+T细胞比值分别为(3.64±1.96)%、(3.13±1.56)%,均高于健康对照组(0.50±0.32%,P<0.01);两组CLT患者血清TPO-Ab和TG-Ab水平分别为(398.99±222.88;1456.02±1054.97)IU/L和(423.26±167.21;1587.94±1210.36)IU/L,均明显高于健康对照组(15.23±10.36;36.32±26.99)IU/L;差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).CLT患者外周血Th17/CD4+T细胞比值改变与血清TPO-Ab及TG-Ab阳性表达呈显著正相关(分别为r=0.50,r=0.43;P<0.01).结论:两组CLT患者外周血Th17细胞比率增加,且与甲状腺自身抗体水平存在显著正相关,Th17细胞可能参与CLT的发生发展.

Significance of the alteration of Th17 cells in patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis

AIM: To investigate the alteration and its significance of T help 17 cells(Th17) in patients with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis(CLT). METHODS: Patients were divided into 3 groups: CLT patients with euthyroidism (n = 15), CLT patients with hypothyroidism (n = 30) and healthy control group(n = 20). The ratio of Th17 lymphocytes subpopulations in the preipheral blood were evaluated by technique of flow cytometry. Production of thyroid autoantibody (TPO-Ab, TG-Ab) were measured by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). RESULTS: Compared with the healthy control group, in CLT group: The frequencies of Th17 in peripheral blood were found to be significantly higher in patients with CLT than healthy control group (P < 0.01); Production of TPO-Ab and TG-Ab markedly increased in CLT patients than healthy control group (P < 0.01). There was significant correlation between the positive expression of thyroid autoantibody and the changes of Th17 subpopulations (r=0.50, r=0.43 respectively; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The frequencies of Th17 cell increased in patients with CLT which may suggest a potential role for Th17 in the progression and happen of CLT.