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Imbalance Between Th17 Cells and Regulatory T Cells During Monophasic Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the dynamic changes in IL-17-expressing T cells (Th17)/Treg expression in monophasic experimental autoimmune uveitis (mEAU). mEAU was induced in Lewis rats with IRBP1177–1191 peptide and evaluated clinically and pathologically on days 9, 13, 18, 23, 28, 35, and 48. Lymphocytes isolated from inguinal lymph nodes were subjected to flow cytometry to analyze the frequency of Th17/Treg cells. The levels of cytokines (IL-17, IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used for measuring the levels of IL-17, IL-6, TGF-β, and Foxp3. Clinical and histopathologic assessment showed that mEAU began on day 9, peaked on day 13, and decreased to normal on day 18. The frequency of Th17 cells increased obviously on day 9, peaking on day 13, while the frequency of Treg cells increased on day 13, peaked on day 18, and remained at a high level until day 48. In the serum, the levels of IL-17 and IL-6 peaked on day 9 and gradually decreased to normal on day 28. The level of TGF-β increased on day 9, peaked on day 13, and decreased to normal on day 35. Meanwhile, the level of IL-10 increased on day 9 and stayed at a high level until day 48. Additionally, the above results were further confirmed by RT-PCR. The imbalance between Th17 and Treg cells contributes to the onset and progression of mEAU, and a compartmental imbalance of Treg over Th17 exists in the recovery phase of mEAU.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81373826, 81403438) and the Development Project of Science and Technology of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shandong Province (2013ZDZK-083).

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 4655#, Daxue Road, Jinan, 250355, People’s Republic of China

      Lian Zhang, Jike Song & Kai Tang

    2. Shandong University, 44#, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, 250012, People’s Republic of China

      Fangzhu Wan

    3. Guangxi University of TCM, 179#, Mingxiu East Road, Nanning, 530000, People’s Republic of China

      Fengming Zheng

    4. Eye Institute of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 48#, Yingxiongshan Road, Jinan, 250002, People’s Republic of China

      Junguo Guo, Dadong Guo & Hongsheng Bi

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    1. Lian Zhang
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    Correspondence to Hongsheng Bi.

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    Lian Zhang and Fangzhu Wan contributed equally to this work.

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    Zhang, L., Wan, F., Song, J. et al. Imbalance Between Th17 Cells and Regulatory T Cells During Monophasic Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis. Inflammation 39, 113–122 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10753-015-0229-7

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