Department of Ophthalmology, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Koyang, 412-270, Korea.
Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2012 Oct;250(10):1521-6. doi: 10.1007/s00417-012-2092-7. Epub 2012 Jul 1.
Interleukin (IL)-17 and T helper 17 (Th17) cells are reported to be involved in many autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the involvement of IL-17 in the pathogenesis and disease activity of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO).
Sixty-two GO patients and 19 healthy controls were recruited. Serum concentrations of cytokines, IL-17, IL-6, IL-23, and IL-16, were measured using multiplexed microsphere-based flow cytometric immunoassays. GO hormonal parameters, clinical activity score (CAS), exophthalmometry, and extraocular muscle involvement were evaluated, and relationships with cytokine concentrations were analyzed.
The concentration and positive detection rates of serum IL-17 were significantly higher in patients with GO than in controls. The serum levels of IL-17 in active GO patients were higher than that of inactive GO patients. Serum IL-17 concentration had significant correlation with CAS (p < 0.001).
The increased serum level of IL-17 and related cytokines in GO patients and the correlation of IL-17 concentration with the clinical activity scores suggest that IL-17 may play a pathophysiological role in GO.
白细胞介素（IL）-17 和辅助性 T 细胞 17（Th17）细胞被报道参与许多自身免疫性疾病。本研究旨在探讨 IL-17 在格雷夫斯眼病（GO）发病机制和疾病活动中的作用。
招募了 62 例 GO 患者和 19 名健康对照者。采用基于多重微球的流式细胞术免疫分析检测细胞因子、IL-17、IL-6、IL-23 和 IL-16 的血清浓度。评估 GO 激素参数、临床活动评分（CAS）、眼球突出度和眼外肌受累情况，并分析与细胞因子浓度的关系。
GO 患者血清 IL-17 的浓度和阳性检出率明显高于对照组。活动期 GO 患者的血清 IL-17 水平高于非活动期 GO 患者。血清 IL-17 浓度与 CAS 显著相关（p<0.001）。
GO 患者血清中 IL-17 及相关细胞因子水平升高，IL-17 浓度与临床活动评分相关，提示 IL-17 可能在 GO 中发挥病理生理作用。
