scholarly journals Effect of interleukin (IL)-35 on IL-17 expression and production by human CD4+ T cells

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Okada ◽  
Takeki Fujimura ◽  
Takeshi Kikuchi ◽  
Makoto Aino ◽  
Yosuke Kamiya ◽  
...  

Background Interleukin (IL)-17 produced by mainly T helper 17 (Th17) cells may play an important destructive role in chronic periodontitis (CP). Thus, anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-35, might have a beneficial effect in periodontitis by inhibiting differentiation of Th17 cells. Th17 differentiation is regulated by the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor (ROR) α (encoded by RORA) and RORγt (encoded by RORC). However, the role of IL-35 in periodontitis is not clear and the effect of IL-35 on the function of Th17 cells is still incompletely understood. Therefore, we investigated the effects of IL-35 on Th17 cells. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were sampled from three healthy volunteers and three CP patients and were analyzed by flow cytometry for T cell population. Th17 cells differentiated by a cytokine cocktail (recombinant transforming growth factor-β, rIL-6, rIL-1β, anti-interferon (IFN)-γ, anti-IL-2 and anti-IL-4) from PBMCs were cultured with or without rIL-35. IL17A (which usually refers to IL-17), RORA and RORCmRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and IL-17A production was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results The proportion of IL-17A+CD4+ slightly increased in CP patients compared with healthy controls, however, there were no significant differences in the percentage of IL-17A+CD4+ as well as IFN-γ+CD4+ and Foxp3+CD4+ T cells between healthy controls and CP patients. IL17A, RORA and RORC mRNA expression was significantly increased in Th17 cells induced by the cytokine cocktail, and the induction was significantly inhibited by addition of rIL-35 (1 ng/mL). IL-17A production in Th17 cells was significantly inhibited by rIL-35 addition (1 ng/mL). Discussion The present study suggests that IL-35 could directly suppress IL-17 expression via RORα and RORγt inhibition and might play an important role in inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis.

Lupus ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 096120332110047
Author(s):  
Andrea Latini ◽  
Lucia Novelli ◽  
Fulvia Ceccarelli ◽  
Cristiana Barbati ◽  
Carlo Perricone ◽  
...  

Background Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a complex chronic autoimmune disease characterized by several immunological alterations. T cells have a peculiar role in SLE pathogenesis, moving from the bloodstream to the peripheral tissues, causing organ damage. This process is possible for their increased adherence and migration capacity mediated by adhesion molecules, such as CD44. Ten different variant isoforms of this molecule have been described, and two of them, CD44v3 and CD44v6 have been found to be increased on SLE T cells compared to healthy controls, being proposed as biomarkers of disease and disease activity. The process of alternative splicing of CD44 transcripts is not fully understood. We investigated the mRNA expression of CD44v3 and CD44v6 and also analyzed possible CD44 splicing regulators (ESRP1 molecule and rs9666607 CD44 polymorphism) in a cohort of SLE patients compared to healthy controls. Methods This study involved 18 SLE patients and 18 healthy controls. Total RNA and DNA were extracted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The expression study was conducted by quantitative RT-polymerase chain reaction, using SYBR Green protocol. Genotyping of rs9666607 SNP was performed by direct sequencing. Results CD44v6 mRNA expression was higher in SLE patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.028). CD44v3/v6 mRNA ratio in healthy controls was strongly unbalanced towards isoform v3 compared to SLE patients (p = 0.002) and decreased progressively from healthy controls to the SLE patients in remission and those with active disease (p = 0.015). The expression levels of CD44v3 and CD44v6 mRNA correlated with the disease duration (p = 0.038, Pearson r = 0.493 and p = 0.038, Pearson r = 0.495, respectively). Splicing regulator ESRP1 expression positively correlated with CD44v6 expression in healthy controls (p = 0.02, Pearson r = 0.532) but not in SLE patients. The variant A allele of rs9666607 of CD44 was associated with higher level of global CD44 mRNA (p = 0.04) but not with the variant isoforms. Conclusions In SLE patients, the increase in CD44v6 protein correlates with a higher transcript level of this isoform, confirming an impairment of CD44 splicing in the disease, whose regulatory mechanisms require further investigation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Liu ◽  
Xinwang Yuan ◽  
Xiaofang Li ◽  
Dawei Cui ◽  
Jue Xie

Background. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are critical for high-affinity antibody generation and B cell maturation and differentiation, which play important roles in autoimmune diseases. Graves’ disease (GD) is one prototype of common organ-specific autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) characterized by autoreactive antibodies, suggesting a possible role for Tfh cells in the pathogenesis of GD. Our objective was to explore the role of circulating Tfh cell subsets and associated plasma cells (PCs) in patients with GD. Methods. Thirty-six patients with GD and 20 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. The frequencies of circulating Tfh cell subsets and PCs were determined by flow cytometry, and plasma cytokines, including interleukin- (IL-) 21, IL-4, IL-17A, and interferon- (IFN-) γ, were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression of transcription factors (Bcl-6, T-bet, GATA-3, and RORγt) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR. Results. Compared with HC, the frequencies of circulating CD4+CXCR5+CD45RA−Tfh (cTfh) cells with ICOS and PD-1 expression, the Tfh2 subset (CXCR3−CCR6−Tfh) cells, and PCs (CD19+CD27highCD38high) were significantly increased in the GD patients, but the frequencies of Tfh1 (CXCR3+CCR6−Tfh) and Tfh17 (CXCR3−CCR6+Tfh) subset cells among CD4+T cells were significantly decreased in GD patients. The plasma concentrations of IL-21, IL-4, and IL-17A were elevated in GD patients. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between the frequency of PD-1+Tfh cells (Tfh2 or PCs) and plasma IL-21 concentration (or serum TPO-Ab levels). The mRNA levels of transcription factors (GATA-3 and RORγt) were significantly increased, but T-bet and Bcl-6 mRNA expression was not obviously varied in PBMCs from GD patients. Interestingly, Tfh cell subsets and PCs from GD patients were partly normalized by treatment. Conclusion. Circulating Tfh cell subsets and PCs might play an important role in the pathogenesis of GD, which are potential clues for GD patients’ interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Chunhui She ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
Ning Tang ◽  
Zhaoyang Liu ◽  
Lishan Xu ◽  
...  

Exposure to dioxins, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), is reported to affect the autoimmune system and increase the risk of autoimmune disease. Generally, dioxin exerts its toxicity via aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune disease, and its pathogenesis involves the interplay between immune and environmental factors. This study showed the effect of dendritic cells (DCs) activated by TCDD on naïve CD4+ T cell differentiation in patients with PBC. CD14+ mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with PBC and healthy people by magnetic cell separation and introduced into DCs. Two days after stimulation by TCDD, DCs were cocultured with naïve CD4+ T cells in a ratio of 1 : 2 for 3 days. Then, differentiation-related factors for naïve CD4+ T cells were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry. The results showed that TCDD-activated DCs could promote Th1 and Th17 differentiation in patients with PBC. Therefore, this study demonstrated TCDD as an AhR agonist in regulating naïve CD4+ T cell differentiation in patients with PBC.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 2698-2698
Author(s):  
Elena E. Solomou ◽  
A. Tsanaktsi ◽  
V. Fertakis ◽  
K. Dallas ◽  
S. Karambina ◽  
...  

Abstract IL17-producing T cells have been recently described as a distinct T cell helper population (Th17 cells) characterized by expression of membrane CD4 and IL23R and intracellular expression of the orphan nuclear receptor RORgt. In Th17 cells the transcription factor RORgt induces the transcription of IL17 gene, whereas in Th1 cells the transcription factor Tbet is responsible for the transcription of IFNg gene. Th1 along with Th17 cells are thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In murine models Th17 cells are fully polarized. In humans a proportion of Th17 cells are also positive for interferon gamma (IFN-g); they are named Th1/17 cells and their function is yet unclear. In patients with colitis and seronegative arthritis Th17 cells are increased. The induction of Th17 and Th1/17 in patients with MDS has not been previously evaluated. To examine the expression of Th17 and Th1/17 cells in this disease, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with MDS were cultured in vitro for 6 days in RPMI-1640, 15% FBS supplemented with PHA (0.1 μg/mL) and IL-2 (10 ng/mL). Percentages of CD4+IL23R+IL-17+ T cells (Th17) and CD4+IL23R+IL17+IFN-g+ T cells (Th1/17) in patients with MDS were determined by flow cytometry: Th17 cells were markedly increased in patients (n=30) compared to healthy controls (n=15), (17.5% ± 3.4 vs 2.5% ± 0.4, p=0.008). Th1/Th17 cells were also significantly increased in MDS patients compared to controls (15.17% ± 2.80 vs 2.56% ± 0.80, p=0.008). None of the patients had been on immunosuppressive treatment or transfused before sampling. In multi-transfused patients with no underlying hematologic disease examined (n=3) the Th17 and Th1/17 populations were comparable to those of healthy donors. In patients with MDS the majority of the Th17 cells expressed also IFNg (90.07% ± 2.87) whereas in healthy controls only 59.7% ± 5.5 of the Th17 cells were also positive for IFNg (p<0.0001). There were no differences between different subtypes of MDS (RA, RARS, and RAEB). Using confocal microscopy, purified CD4+ T cells from PBMC cultures from patients (n=5) showed increased Tbet and RORgt expression at the single-cell level compared to controls (n=3),(T-bet: 22.03 ± 1.20 vs 11.60 ± 0.35 arbitrary units respectively, p<0.0001 and RORãt: 28.90 ± 0.35 vs 21.03 ± 1.20 arbitrary units, p=0.0008. For each sample 100 cells were analyzed). We next asked whether kinases involved in the induction of Tbet are also involved in the induction of RORgt. We analyzed the effects of rottlerin, a PKC-theta inhibitor, SB203580, a p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor, and PD98059, an ERK pathway inhibitor, on Th17 and Th1/17 cell induction in patients (n=7) and controls (n=4). Rottlerin decreased the Th17 content in patients and controls by 45.0%, and the Th1/17 content by 64.8%. SB203580 showed a 17% and 18% decrease on Th17 and on Th1/17 content, respectively, in patients and controls. PD98059 showed no effect on Th17 and Th1/17 populations in patients and controls. By immunoblots, in normal CD4+T cells rottlerin decreased both T-bet and RORgt protein levels by 50% and 20%, respectively. SB203580, decreased RORgt levels by 25%, and PD98059 did not obviously decrease Tbet but decreased RORgt levels by 20%. CD4+IL23R+IL-17+ T cells and CD4+IL23R+IL17+IFN-g+ T cells are increased in most patients with MDS. T cells have recently been implicated in MDS pathogenesis. Although more studies are needed in order to define the role of Th17 and Th1/17 cells in the pathogenesis of MDS, our in vitro data with the kinase inhibitors may suggest a probable therapeutic target for patients with MDS.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Wei ◽  
Jing Liao ◽  
Min Jiang ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Xiuan Liang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The pathogenetic mechanisms of neutrophilic asthma are not well understood now. Whether T helper (Th)17-mediated immunity contributes to the pathogenesis of neutrophilic asthma in human is still under investigation. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between Th17-mediated immunity and airway inflammation in childhood neutrophilic asthma.Methods: Twenty-eight children with exacerbated asthma and without using any glucocorticoids were divided into three groups: eosinophilic asthma (EA, n=12) group, neutrophilic asthma (NA, n=10) group and paucigranulocytic asthma (PGA, n=6) group according to the induced sputum cytology. Ten healthy children were recruited as healthy control (HC, n=10) group. Peripheral Th17 and Th2 cells, and the expression of Ki-67 in peripheral Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was detected by qRT-PCR. The concentrations of IL-17, IL-8 and IL-5 in sputum, as well as IL-17 in plasma and culture supernatant of activated PBMCs were measured by ELISA.Results: The percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral Th cells, and the concentrations of IL-17, IL-8 in sputum, as well as IL-17 in culture supernatant of activated PBMCs were all increased in NA group, and positively correlated with neutrophil level in sputum and with each other. Also, the mRNA expression of RORγt in PBMCs and Ki-67 positivity in peripheral Th17 cells were both increased in NA group. The percentage of Th2 cells in peripheral Th cells, and the concentration of IL-5 in sputum were both increased in EA group, and positively correlated with eosinophil level in sputum and with each other.Conclusions: Both Th17- and Th2-mediated immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of childhood asthma. There is predominance of Th17-mediated immunity and Th17 cells proliferation in childhood neutrophilic asthma.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 659-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongping Liu ◽  
Shuo Wang ◽  
Qingling Guo ◽  
Yongze Li ◽  
Jing Qin ◽  
...  

Objective Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is characterized by elevated specific auto-antibodies, including TgAb and TPOAb. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the essential role of Th17 cells in HT. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Semaphorin 5A (Sema 5A) is involved in several autoimmune diseases through the regulation of immune cells. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of Sema 5A in HT. Methods We measured serum Sema 5A levels in HT (n = 92) and healthy controls (n = 111) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RNA levels of Sema 5A and their receptors (plexin-A1 and plexin-B3), as well as several cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17), were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 23 patients with HT and 31 controls. In addition, we investigated the relationship between serum Sema 5A and HT. Results Serum Sema 5A in HT increased significantly compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). Moreover, serum Sema 5A levels were positively correlated with TgAb (r = 0.511, P < 0.001), TPOAb (r = 0.423, P < 0.001), TSH (r = 0.349, P < 0.001) and IL-17 mRNA expression (r = 0.442, P < 0.001). Increased Sema 5A RNA expression was observed (P = 0.041) in HT compared with controls. In receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, serum Sema 5A predicted HT with a sensitivity of 79.35% and specificity of 96.40%, and the area under the curve of the ROC curve was 0.836 (95% CI: 0.778–0.884, P < 0.001). Conclusions These data demonstrated elevated serum Sema 5A in HT patients for the first time. Serum Sema 5A levels were correlated with thyroid auto-antibodies and IL-17 mRNA expression. Sema 5A may be involved in immune response of HT patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1332.2-1333
Author(s):  
N. Vincken ◽  
C. Angiolilli ◽  
S. Cardoso ◽  
A. Lopes ◽  
M. Olde-Nordkamp ◽  
...  

Background:Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory auto-immune disease characterized by an excessive production of pathogenic mediators that cause inflammation of the skin, peripheral joints, entheses and the spine. Among these, interleukin (IL)-23, IL-12, the IL-17 family and TNF constitute key players in PsA pathogenesis.1,2IL-23, consisting of IL23A (IL-23p19) and IL12B (IL-12p40) subunits, is predominantly produced by myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs). While the p19 subunit is unique to IL-23, the p40 subunit is shared with IL-12. Together, IL-12 and IL-23 play a crucial role in promoting the differentiation of naïve T lymphocytes into T helper (Th) interferon (IFN)-γ-producing Th1 or IL17-producing Th17 cells, respectively.3Small-molecule inhibitors, such as the JAK/STAT inhibitor Tofacitinib, have recently shown promising therapeutic potential in PsA clinical trials.4The inhibition of JAKs by Tofacitinib results in the direct suppression of multiple intracellular signaling pathways which constitute key hubs in the cytokine network.5However, whether Tofacitinib is able directly target IL-12/IL-23 production by mDCs has not yet been documented. Suppression of these canonical inflammatory pathways would provide further evidence that Tofacitinib is an effective drug in halting both innate and adaptive immune responses.Objectives:To evaluate the transcriptional and molecular events underlining IL-12 and IL-23 regulation by Tofacitinib in mDCs.Methods:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors were isolated by Ficoll gradient. Monocytes and myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) were isolated by using magnetic beads on autoMACS. Monocytes were cultured for 6 days in the presence of IL-4 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to generate monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs). MoDCs were harvested, washed and put to rest for 1 day prior to stimulation, while mDCs were stimulated on the same day of isolation. Both moDCs and mDCs were pre-treated with Tofacitinib and then stimulated with either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or combination of LPS with IFN-γ for 4 hours. Cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene expression was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).Results:Treatment of both mDCs and moDCs with Tofacitinib led to a decreased mRNA expression of IL-12 p40 (IL12B) in the presence of TLR4 and IFNγ co-stimulation. The decreasedIL12BmRNA expression also resulted in lower production of IL-12 p40 and IL-23 proteins in mDCs.Conclusion:In this work, we demonstrated for the first time that Tofacitinib can suppress the production of IL-23/IL-12 p40 subunit in mDCs, upon the condition that an active type II IFN signalling is also present in these cells. This observation indicates that specific factors, such as endogenous IFN-γ levels in the serum of PsA patients, can possibly predict differential responses to Tofacitinib treatment.References:[1]Gaffen SL. et al. The IL-23-IL-17 immune axis: from mechanisms to therapeutic testing. Nat Rev Immunol. 2014 Sep;14(9):585-600[2]Bravo A, Kavanaugh A. Bedside to bench: defining the immunopathogenesis of psoriatic arthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2019 Nov;15(11):645-656[3]Floss DM. et al. Insights into IL-23 biology: From structure to function. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2015 Oct;26(5):569-78[4]Berekmeri A. et al. Tofacitinib for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2018 Sep;14(9):719-730[5]T Virtanen A. et al. Selective JAKinibs: Prospects in Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases. BioDrugs. 2019 Feb;33(1):15-32Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 740-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Rozo ◽  
Yurii Chinenov ◽  
Reena Khianey Maharaj ◽  
Sanjay Gupta ◽  
Laura Leuenberger ◽  
...  

ObjectivesDeregulated production of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-21 contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Production of IL-17 and IL-21 can be regulated by ROCK2, one of the two Rho kinases. Increased ROCK activation was previously observed in an SLE cohort. Here, we evaluated ROCK activity in a new SLE cohort, and an RA cohort, and assessed the ability of distinct inhibitors of the ROCK pathway to suppress production of IL-17 and IL-21 by SLE T cells or human Th17 cells.MethodsROCK activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 29 patients with SLE, 31 patients with RA and 28 healthy controls was determined by ELISA. SLE T cells or in vitro-differentiated Th17 cells were treated with Y27632 (a pan-ROCK inhibitor), KD025 (a selective ROCK2 inhibitor) or simvastatin (which inhibits RhoA, a major ROCK activator). ROCK activity and IL-17 and IL-21 production were assessed. The transcriptional profile altered by ROCK inhibitors was evaluated by NanoString technology.ResultsROCK activity levels were significantly higher in patients with SLE and RA than healthy controls. Th17 cells exhibited high ROCK activity that was inhibited by Y27632, KD025 or simvastatin; each also decreased IL-17 and IL-21 production by purified SLE T cells or Th17 cells. Immune profiling revealed both overlapping and distinct effects of the different ROCK inhibitors.ConclusionsROCK activity is elevated in PBMCs from patients with SLE and RA. Production of IL-17 and IL-21 by SLE T cells or Th17 cells can furthermore be inhibited by targeting the RhoA-ROCK pathway via both non-selective and selective approaches.


2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 1046-1054 ◽  
Author(s):  
X-Y Ai ◽  
G-C Shi ◽  
H-Y Wan ◽  
Y-H Shi ◽  
X-X Hou ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the presence of 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) in the peripheral blood of patients with allergic asthma and evaluate its role in controlling the balance between helper 17 T (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells. METHODS: Soluble 4-1BBL (s4-1BBL) was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in plasma from patients with asthma ( n = 45) and from healthy control subjects ( n = 35). The proportion of monocytes positive for membrane-bound 4-1BBL (m4-1BBL) was determined by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with asthma were incubated with anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibody in vitro. Concentrations of interleukin (IL)-17 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in the culture supernatant were analysed. RESULTS: Plasma s4-1BBL concentrations and the proportion of m4-1BBL-positive monocytes were significantly lower in patients with asthma than in control subjects. The culture supernatant concentration of TGF-β1 was increased and that of IL-17 was decreased by incubation with anti-4-1BB monoclonal antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Both soluble and membrane-bound 4-1BBL were reduced in patients with allergic asthma compared with control subjects. 4-1BBL/4-1BB signalling may play an important role in allergic asthma by regulating the Th17/Treg balance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Wei ◽  
Jing Liao ◽  
Min Jiang ◽  
Jing Liu ◽  
Xiuan Liang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The pathogenetic mechanisms of neutrophilic asthma are not well understood now. Whether T helper (Th)17-mediated immunity contributes to the pathogenesis of neutrophilic asthma in human is still under investigation. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between Th17-mediated immunity and airway inflammation in childhood neutrophilic asthma. Methods Twenty-eight children with exacerbated asthma and without using any glucocorticoids were divided into three groups: eosinophilic asthma (EA, n = 12) group, neutrophilic asthma (NA, n = 10) group and paucigranulocytic asthma (PGA, n = 6) group according to the induced sputum cytology. Ten healthy children were recruited as healthy control (HC, n = 10) group. Peripheral Th17 and Th2 cells, and the expression of Ki-67 in peripheral Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was detected by qRT-PCR. The concentrations of IL-17, IL-8 and IL-5 in sputum, as well as IL-17 in plasma and culture supernatant of activated PBMCs were measured by ELISA. Results The percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral Th cells, and the concentrations of IL-17, IL-8 in sputum, as well as IL-17 in culture supernatant of activated PBMCs were all increased in NA group, and positively correlated with neutrophil level in sputum and with each other. Also, the mRNA expression of RORγt in PBMCs and Ki-67 positivity in peripheral Th17 cells were both increased in NA group. The percentage of Th2 cells in peripheral Th cells, and the concentration of IL-5 in sputum were both increased in EA group, and positively correlated with eosinophil level in sputum and with each other. Conclusions Both Th17- and Th2-mediated immunity are involved in the pathogenesis of childhood asthma. There is predominance of Th17-mediated immunity and Th17 cells proliferation in childhood neutrophilic asthma.


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