THE ROLE OF Th17 CELLS AND Th17-RELATED FACTORS IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS B

Objective To study the relationship between the Th17cells and Th17-related factors and chronic hepatitis B virus infection.Methods This study consisted of 78patients with chronic hepatitis B and 23healthy subjects.The patients were divided into mild,moderate and severe group according to their condition.The serum levels of IL-17,IL-23,IL-1β,IL-6and liver damage index were measured and analyzed.Results The levels of IL-17,IL-23,IL-1β,and IL-6in the patients were higher than that in the healthy subjects(F=23.52-219.44,q=10.77-36.18,P0.05).As compared among the patients between moderate and mild group,only IL-6level was higher in the moderate group.The levels of IL-17,IL-23,IL-1β,and IL-6in the severe group were higher than that in both mild and moderate groups,the differences being significant(q=6.40-16.80,P0.05).The level of IL-17in the patients was positively correlated with ALT(r=0.801,P0.05),not correlated with HBV DNA and negatively correlated with ALB and A/G(r=-0.512,-0.547;P0.05).Conclusion Th17cells involve in the occurrence and development of inflammation process of the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis B.