Abstract:

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.

Key words: Vogt-koyanagi-Harada disease； Th17 cells； IL-17； Retinoid-related orphan receptor γt