RESUMO
Objective To detect the expression of T helper 17 (Th17) cells in the peripheral blood of patient with ankylosing spondylitis (AS),and discuss its role in thc pathogenesis of AS.Methods Twenty AS patients and fifteen healthy controls were enrolled in the study.Th17 (IL-17),Th1 (IFN-γ),Th2 (IL-4)cells and HLA-B27 of their peripheral blood were analyzed by flow cytometry,at the same time,the levels of ESR and CRP were also measured in order to analyze thc relation of Th17 and HLA-B27,ESR as well as the CRP level.The statistical analysis was carried out with single-sample t-test and Speraman's correlation test.Results The level of Th17 cells was significantly higher in the perpipheral blood of AS patients[(2.6±0.8 )%] than those in healthy controls[ (1.1±0.4)% ] (P＜0.01).The level of Th 1 cells was significantly lower in the peripheral blood of AS patients[(3.9±0.8)%] than those in healthy controls[(5.1±1.3)%] (P＜0.01)and the level of Th2 cells was not different in the peripheral blood of AS patients[(4.1±1.6)%] when compared to healthy controls[ (3.1±1.4)% ] (P＞0.05).Th 17 cells was not significantly correlated with the percentage and mean fluorescent intensity of HLA-B27,ESR,CRP(P＞0.05); but there was a tendency that increased expression level of Th17 cells was associated with elevated percentage and mean fluorescent intensity of HLA-B27.Conclusion The level of Th1 cells is decreased,but Th17 is increased in the peripheral blood of AS patients.Th cells are imbalance in AS,patients.The change of Th17 cells may be an important part of the pathogenesis of AS.