ABSTRACT
ObjectiveThe expression and significance of interleukin(IL)-17 in a murine model of experimental systemic sclerosis(SSc) was studied and its correlation with transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) was explored.Methods Thirty female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 3 groups,including a control group, bleomycin(BLM) injection for 4 weeks group(model 1 group) and a termination injection of BLM 4 weeks group(model 2 group).The pathological changes of skin and lung were detected.The mRNA expressions of IL-17A,RORγt,TGF-β1 mRNA were evaluated by real-time PCR.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of IL-17 and TGF-β1 in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF).Comparisons among groups were performed by variance analysis.ResultsSkin and lung of the model groups showed evident inflammatory cell infiltration and increased deposition of collagen fibers.The score of dermal inflammation and lung fibrosis was significantly higher in the model 1 and model 2 groups (2.5±0.8,3.0±1.8), (2.4±0.8,3.1±1.2) as compared to that of the control group (0.9±0.7,0.9±1.0),(F=12.19,8.367,25.11,4.641; all P＜0.05).The amount of hydroxyproline was markedly increased in the model groups than in the control group.Compared with those of the control group,the mRNA levels of IL-17A,RORγt,TGF- 31 in the skin and lung of the model 1 group were higher.The levels of IL-17 in serum and BALF of the model 1 group was significantly increased and the levels of TGF- β1 were increased in BALF and decreased in the serum (all P＜0.05).The mRNA levels of IL-17A in skin and lung had a positive correlation with the mRNA levels of TGF- β1,score of dermal inflammation and lung fibrosis.The levels of IL-17 in serum had a positive correlation with hydroxyproline of the skin and lung.ConclusionIL-17 may participate in systemic immune-mediated inflammation and changes of skin and lung in SSc and when combined with TGF-β1 togetter will cause damage to skin and lung in SSc.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the expression of interleukin-17 in the salivary gland and peripheral blood of patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS).Methods Biopsy specimens of labial glands were collected from 30 patients and 5 controls.Immunohistochemistry examination was conducted to detect IL-17 expression cells (Th-17),while CD45RO and CD20 were tested by using monoclonal antibodies.IL-17 levels were assessed by ELISA in 30 pSS patients and 20 healthy controls.Results Th-17 cell numbers in the salivary glands of pSS patients with few infiltrating lymphocytes were lower than that with massive infiltrating lymphocytes (15±5 vs 21±8,P＜0.05).However,the percentage of Th-17 positive cells over the total infiltrating lymphocytes in the salivary glands of pSS patients with few infiltrating lymph-ocytes was higher than that with massive infiltrating lymphocytes (P＜0.05).There was no expression of IL-17 in the controls.The distribution pattern of Th-17 was shown that Th-17 cells were distributed evenly in the salivary glands of pSS patients with few infiltrating lymphocytes,but only appeared in the periphery zone of massive or focal infiltration in the glands of pSS patients with massive infiltrating lymphocytes.The amount of Th-17 positive cells were associated with the disease activity which was evaluated by levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.557,P＜0.05).There was no significant differ-ence in IL-17 levels of peripheral blood between patients with pSS and normal controls.Conclusion The results of this study have shown that Th-17 is expressed in the salivary glands of patients with pSS,which indicates that IL-17 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of salivary gland destruction.