辅助性CD4~+ T细胞亚群失衡在实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力大鼠发病机制中的作用

目的研究实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力(Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis,EAMG)大鼠发病过程中辅助性CD4+T细胞亚型的变化。方法将Lewis大鼠分为完全弗氏佐剂(CFA)早、晚期发病时对照相和EAMG早期(初次免疫后13d)、高峰期(初次免疫后50d)发病时相4组,各组分别给予相应的药物后,于发病早期和高峰期分离淋巴细胞,采用流式细胞术检测各组大鼠淋巴细胞中Th1、Th2、Th17和Treg细胞的比例,ELISA法检测淋巴细胞培养上清中各种细胞因子水平。结果在EAMG发病的早期时相,与CFA组比较,EAMG组Th1、Th2、Th17细胞的比例下降,而Treg细胞比例上升;淋巴细胞培养上清中IFNγ和IL-4水平显著下降(P<0.05),IL-6水平显著升高(P<0.05),IL-17和TGF-β水平略升高,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。在EAMG发病的高峰期,与CFA组比较,EAMG组Th1和Th17细胞的比例显著上升(P<0.05),而Th2和Treg细胞的比例显著下降(P<0.05),淋巴细胞培养上清中IFNγ和IL-17水平显著上升(P<0.05),IL-4和TGF-β水平显著下降(P<0.01),IL-6水平略上升,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论在EAMG发生过程中,4种辅助性CD4+T细胞亚型之间的平衡被打破,晚期时相中Th1和Th17细胞比例上升,而Th2和Treg细胞比例下降。     

MF59佐剂对脊髓灰质炎灭活疫苗诱导恒河猴细胞免疫应答的影响

目的分析以MF59为佐剂的脊髓灰质炎灭活疫苗(IPV)免疫恒河猴后诱导的细胞免疫应答。方法将恒河猴分为4组:无佐剂低剂量组(IPVL-PBS组)、低剂量MF59佐剂组(IPVL-MF59组)、无佐剂高剂量组(IPVH-PBS组)和低剂量铝佐剂组(IPVL-AL组)。高剂量组IPV每剂中Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型抗原含量分别为30、32、42 DU,低剂量组IPV每剂中Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ型抗原含量分别为3、3.2、4.2 DU,0.5 ml/剂,其中MF59为0.25 ml/剂,氢氧化铝为0.5 mg/剂,均于第1、28、56天经恒河猴后腿肌肉注射,分别于免疫后第28、56、84天采血,分离血清,微量中和试验法检测血清中和抗体效价;分别于免疫后第56和84天,取外周血,分离淋巴细胞,上流式细胞仪检测特异性抗原刺激下的Th1型细胞因子(IL-2、IFNγ、TNF)和Th2型细胞因子(IL-4、IL-5、IL-6)分泌水平,以及CD3+、CD4+、CD8+T淋巴细胞比例的分布情况。结果恒河猴经3次免疫后,IPVL-MF59组血清中和抗体阳转率明显高于其他各组,达75%以上。恒河猴免疫后第56天,IPVL-MF59组IFNγ和TNF分泌水平明显高于IPVL-AL组(P均0.05),IL-6分泌水平明显高于IPVL-PBS和IPVH-PBS组(P均0.05);免疫后第84天,各组IL-2、IFNγ、TNF均稳定在同一水平,IL-4、IL-5分泌水平均明显高于第56天(P均0.05)。免疫后第84天,IPVL-MF59组CD8+T淋巴细胞百分比均明显高于IPVH-PBS和IPVL-PBS组(P均0.05)。结论 MF59佐剂能增强IPV诱导的TNF和IL-6的分泌水平,增强Th1和Th2类反应。     

结核菌H37Ra在小鼠体内诱导的免疫应答

目的检测结核菌H37Ra免疫小鼠后产生的特异性细胞免疫和体液免疫应答水平。方法将BALB/c小鼠随机分为H37Ra组、BCG组和生理盐水(NS)组,分别进行免疫,免疫8周后处死小鼠,分离血清,ELISA间接法测定血清特异性抗PPDIgG抗体的水平,流式细胞分析仪检测脾脏T淋巴细胞亚群的变化。脾淋巴细胞经体外培养、PPD刺激后,MTT法检测脾淋巴细胞的刺激指数,ELISA法检测培养上清液中IFN-γ和IL-4的水平。结果H37Ra免疫小鼠血清中抗PPDIgG抗体、脾脏CD3+T细胞和CD4+T细胞的百分率、脾淋巴细胞刺激指数、IFN-γ和IL-4水平均显著高于NS对照组,但与BCG组差异无显著意义。各组间脾脏CD8+T细胞、CD4+T/CD8+T比值差异均无显著意义。结论H37Ra免疫小鼠后,可以产生特异性的细胞免疫和体液免疫应答,有望成为结核疫苗的候选抗原。     

IL-17对髓鞘碱性蛋白诱导鼻黏膜免疫耐受治疗实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎的影响

目的探讨IL-17对髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)68-86诱导鼻黏膜免疫耐受治疗实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(EAE)的影响。方法将大鼠分为5组,分别经鼻黏膜滴注PBS、MBP68-86、MBP68-86+IL-17(0.01μg/d)、MBP68-86+IL-17(0.05μg/d)和MBP68-86+IL-17(0.1μg/d)诱导其发生免疫耐受,并在此基础上建立EAE动物模型,观察各组大鼠发病情况;通过3H掺入试验检测特异性抗原MBP68-86多肽诱导T淋巴细胞增殖活性;HE染色观察脊髓淋巴细胞浸润情况,免疫组化方法检测脊髓中单位面积IL-17+细胞数。结果PBS组和IL-170.1μg/d组与MBP组相比,大鼠免疫后出现进食减少、体重减轻、尾瘫、后肢瘫痪等临床症状,IL-170.01μg/d组和0.05μg/d组大鼠临床症状较轻或无症状。淋巴细胞增殖试验结果显示,PBS组和IL-170.1μg/d组与MBP组相比,特异性淋巴细胞增殖反应显著增高,IL-170.01μg/d组和0.05μg/d组与MBP组相比,差异无显著意义,与IL-170.1μg/d组相比差异有显著意义;PBS组、IL-170.1μg/d组与MBP组、IL-170.01μg/d组和0.05μg/d组相比,脊髓切片中淋巴细胞浸润面积较大且细胞数量较多,IL-17+细胞数也显著增多。结论MBP68-86特异性肽段可诱导EAE免疫耐受的形成,预防EAE的发生;鼻黏膜给予IL-17可以打破MBP诱导的特异性免疫耐受,且存在剂量依赖性。     

肠道病毒71型灭活疫苗的小鼠细胞免疫效果

目的评价肠道病毒71型(enterovirus 71,EV71)灭活疫苗诱导小鼠的细胞免疫效果。方法分别以不同剂量(1、2.5、5、10μg/ml,均含铝佐剂1 mg/ml)、不同剂型(含铝佐剂1 mg/ml或不含铝佐剂)、不同免疫剂次(单次免疫或加强免疫)EV71灭活疫苗经腹腔免疫小鼠,0.5 ml/只,均设铝佐剂对照组(仅注射铝佐剂1 mg/ml)。采用经典小鼠树突状细胞(dendritic cell,DC)培养方法制备正常小鼠DC,瑞氏染色法检测细胞形态,流式细胞术分析其表型及纯度;免疫磁珠分选法(magnetic activated cell sorting,MACS)分离小鼠脾脏CD4+、CD8+T淋巴细胞,流式细胞术检测细胞纯度。ELISPOT法检测各组免疫小鼠CD4+、CD8+T淋巴细胞分泌IL-2、IL-4、IFNγ的水平;细胞因子试剂盒检测小鼠淋巴细胞培养上清及小鼠血清中细胞因子的水平。结果 DC形态不规则,表面树枝状突起形态不同,细胞核较大且不规则;DC纯度为(81.39±9.24)%,可高水平表达MHⅡ(I-A/I-E)类分子,中度表达CD86和CD40。CD4+、CD8+T细胞纯度分别为95.27%和94.08%。随着疫苗免疫剂量的增加,CD4+T细胞分泌IL-2、IL-4、IFNγ及CD8+T细胞分泌IFNγ的SFC显著增加,5μg/ml疫苗组达最大值,且明显高于其他组(P均0.05);5μg/ml疫苗组淋巴细胞培养上清中IFNγ、IL-2、IL-4、IL-6、IL-10、IL-13、IL-5、TNF-α含量明显高于其他组(P0.05);1、2.5、5μg/ml疫苗组血清中IL-10含量明显高于铝佐剂对照组(P0.05),1μg/ml疫苗组明显低于2.5及5μg/ml疫苗组(P0.05)。含铝佐剂疫苗组CD4+T细胞分泌IL-2、IL-4、IFNγ及CD8+T细胞分泌IFNγ的SFC、淋巴细胞培养上清中IL-2、IFNγ、IL-4、IL-5、IL-6、IL-10、IL-13、TNF-α水平及血清中IL-10含量均明显高于无铝佐剂疫苗组(P均0.05)。加强免疫组CD4+T细胞分泌IL-2、IL-4、IFNγ及CD8+T细胞分泌IFNγ的SFC、淋巴细胞培养上清中IL-2、IFNγ、IL-4、IL-5、IL-6、IL-10、IL-13、TNF-α水平、血清中IL-10含量均明显高于单次免疫组(P均0.05)。结论 EV71灭活疫苗可诱导小鼠产生特异性细胞免疫反应,本实验为其进一步人体临床试验研究奠定了基础。     

卡介苗诱导人外周血单个核细胞Th1活化

目的探讨卡介苗(BCG)对人外周血单个核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cells,PBMCs)Th1活化的调节作用。方法经密度梯度离心法制备PBMCs悬液,用BCG进行体外刺激。WST1法测定BCG对PBMCs增殖能力的影响;ELISA法检测BCG对PBMCs分泌干扰素γ(interferonγ,IFNγ)及IL-4水平的影响;流式细胞术检测BCG对PBMCs Th1活化的影响。结果经BCG体外刺激后,PBMCs的增殖能力、IFNγ的分泌水平及CD4+IFNγ+细胞比例均显著增加(P0.05),IL-4的分泌水平显著下降(P0.05)。结论 BCG可显著诱导PBMCs发生Th1活化,为深入研究BCG的抗肿瘤作用机制奠定了基础。     

冻干甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗诱导的人体特异性免疫应答

目的观察人体接种冻干甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗(H2株)后产生的特异性免疫应答。方法选择16名血清甲型肝炎抗体阴性的健康志愿者,接种1针冻干甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗,接种前和接种后2、4、8、12、156周(3年)采血,采用ELISA检测血清抗HAVIgG抗体;采用流式细胞术检测全血各淋巴细胞亚群CD3+、CD4+、CD8+的百分率及表达细胞因子IFN-γ和IL-4的阳性细胞百分率;采用ELISPOT法检测外周血淋巴细胞分泌IFN-γ的斑点形成细胞(SFC)。结果接种疫苗后2周,表达IL-4的阳性细胞百分率与接种前相比显著升高;接种后4周,CD4+淋巴细胞亚群百分率与接种前相比显著升高;接种后8周,抗体100%阳转;接种后3年,抗体和分泌IFN-γ的SFC有一项以上阳性者占85.7%(12/14)。结论接种冻干甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗,能诱导机体产生良好的体液免疫和细胞免疫应答。     

辅助性T细胞17与相关疾病发生的研究进展

辅助性T细胞17(T helper cells 17,Th17)是新近发现的一种辅助性T细胞,该类细胞在机体的抗微生物免疫中起非常重要的作用,也与很多自身免疫性疾病的发生有一定的关系,如过敏、糖尿病、类风湿性关节炎等。Th17细胞是与Th1及Th2细胞不同的T细胞亚类,可分泌IL-17A、IL-17F、IL-21、IL-22等细胞因子。本文就Th17细胞的基本生物学功能、与感染性疾病及自身免疫性疾病发生的相关性作一综述。     

卡介苗与结核分枝杆菌早期分泌靶抗原刺激人γδT细胞分泌细胞因子能力的比较

目的比较卡介苗(bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine,BCG)与结核分枝杆菌早期分泌靶抗原(early secreted antigenic target-6,ESAT-6)刺激人外周血γδT细胞分泌细胞因子的能力。方法采用Ficoll密度梯度离心法分离健康人外周血单核细胞(peripheral blood mononuclear cell,PBMC),加入Anti-human gamma-delta TCR-FITC抗体标记γδT细胞,上流式细胞仪进行分离纯化;分别用BCG和ESAT-6刺激γδT细胞,同时,以不加任何刺激因子的γδT细胞作为空白对照,分别于刺激培养后第1、3、6、9和12天取上清,采用ELISA试剂盒检测IL-17、TNF-α及IFNγ的分泌水平;上流式细胞仪检测γδT细胞的增殖水平。结果γδT细胞占PBMC的4.83%,其纯度为88.90%;与空白对照组比较,BCG和ESAT-6刺激的γδT细胞分泌的IL-17、TNF-α及IFNγ水平均明显升高,且ESAT-6组明显高于BCG组(P均<0.05);与空白对照组相比,BCG组和ESAT-6组γδT细胞数量明显增加,且ESAT-6组较BCG组增加明显(P均<0.05)。结论 BCG和ESAT-6均可刺激γδT细胞增殖,并大量分泌IL-17、TNF-α及IFNγ,且ESTA-6的刺激作用强于BCG。     

附红细胞体感染小鼠CD4~+ T淋巴细胞相关因子的检测

目的动态检测小鼠感染附红细胞体后CD4+T淋巴细胞相关细胞因子的变化情况,探讨CD4+T淋巴细胞发挥的免疫学效应。方法将小鼠随机分为实验组(纯化的附红细胞体)和对照组(生理盐水),均经腹腔免疫接种,0.5 ml/只。分别于感染后第3、5、7、9 d,经小鼠尾尖采血,镜下观察附红细胞体形态并进行PCR鉴定。建模成功后,分别于感染后第3、5、7、9 d无菌取小鼠脾脏,采用RT-PCR法检测小鼠脾脏中IL-4、IL-17、IFNγ基因的转录水平。结果各时间点感染小鼠的红细胞均出现不同程度的变形,边缘被附红体附着,PCR扩增产物可见602 bp的特异条带。实验组小鼠脾脏IL-4、IL-17、IFNγ均有不同程度的表达,IL-17在感染在第3天上调,5 d达到高峰,7 d开始下降;IFNγ在感染第3天表达上调,5 d明显下降,7 d表达上升,9 d达到高峰;IL-4始终处于低表达状态。实验组小鼠脾脏IL-4、IL-17、IFNγ的转录水平均高于对照组(P<0.01),IL-17和IFNγ的表达呈相互抑制状态,IL-4呈被抑制状态。结论附红细胞体感染后,IL-17在早期发挥了促进炎症发生和抵抗感染的免疫学作用;IFNγ在感染后期发挥保护炎性反应,避免炎性反应过度发生的免疫学效应;IL-4在此感染过程中作用不明显。     

Th17 Activation and Th17/Treg Imbalance in Prolonged Anterior Intraocular Inflammation after Ocular Alkali Burn

Ocular alkali burn (OAB) is a sight-threatening disease with refractory ocular inflammation causing various blinding complications. Th17 lymphocytes account for the pathogeneses of the autoimmune disease and chronic inflammation, but their role in prolonged anterior intraocular inflammation after OAB is still unknown. A rat OAB model was established for this purpose. Anterior intraocular inflammation was observed in both the acute and late phases of OAB, and histological examination confirmed the presence of inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrin exudation in the anterior segment. Luminex xMAP technology and qPCR were used to evaluate the intraocular levels of cytokines. The levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were significantly elevated during the acute phase. The expression of IL-17A gradually increased from day 7 onwards and remained at a relatively high level. Immunofluorescence was performed to identify Th17 cells. CD4 and IL-17A double positive cells were detected in the anterior chamber from days 7 to 28. Flow cytometry showed that the frequency of Th17 cells increased in both lymph nodes and spleen, while the frequency of Treg cells remained unchanged, resulting in an elevated Th17/Treg ratio. The present study suggests that Th17 activation and Th17/Treg imbalance account for prolonged anterior intraocular inflammation after OAB.     

骨化三醇对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎的治疗作用及相关机制

目的探讨骨化三醇(Calcitriol)对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis,EAE)的治疗作用及相关机制。方法用含200μg髓鞘少突胶质细胞糖蛋白35-55肽段(Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein 33-35,MOG33-35)、250μg结核菌素的50μl弗氏不完全佐剂(IFA)皮内免疫C57BL/6小鼠,并分别于免疫当天和第2天注射百日咳毒素,建立EAE实验性动物模型(EAE组);骨化三醇组从免疫当天起隔日腹腔注射骨化三醇100 ng进行治疗,观察两组小鼠临床评分的差异;于EAE发病高峰期处死小鼠,取脊髓及淋巴结,通过HE及LFB染色观察脊髓中炎细胞浸润及髓鞘脱失;采用流式细胞术检测两组淋巴细胞CD4+T细胞亚型的分布。结果与EAE组比较,骨化三醇组发病延缓且发病较轻,临床评分差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01或P<0.001);骨化三醇组较EAE组小鼠脊髓白质炎性细胞浸润明显减少,脱髓鞘斑块明显减轻;骨化三醇组与EAE组相比,Th17细胞亚群明显受到抑制(P<0.05),而Th2和Treg细胞水平明显升高(P均<0.05)。结论骨化三醇可以延缓EAE发病,减轻临床症状及病理改变,并能够通过调节CD4+T细胞亚群平衡,即抑制Th17细胞,上调Th2和Treg细胞水平发挥对EAE的预防和治疗作用。     

Photoreceptor Cells Constitutively Express IL-35 and Promote Ocular Immune Privilege

Interleukin-27 is constitutively secreted by microglia in the retina or brain, and upregulation of IL-27 during neuroinflammation suppresses encephalomyelitis and autoimmune uveitis. However, while IL-35 is structurally and functionally similar to IL-27, the intrinsic roles of IL-35 in CNS tissues are unknown. Thus, we generated IL-35/YFP-knock-in reporter mice (p35-KI) and demonstrated that photoreceptor neurons constitutively secrete IL-35, which might protect the retina from persistent low-grade inflammation that can impair photoreceptor functions. Furthermore, the p35-KI mouse, which is hemizygous at the il12a locus, develops more severe uveitis because of reduced IL-35 expression. Interestingly, onset and exacerbation of uveitis in p35-KI mice caused by extravasation of proinflammatory Th1/Th17 lymphocytes into the retina were preceded by a dramatic decrease of IL-35, attributable to massive death of photoreceptor cells. Thus, while inflammation-induced death of photoreceptors and loss of protective effects of IL-35 exacerbated uveitis, our data also suggest that constitutive production of IL-35 in the retina might have housekeeping functions that promote sterilization immunity in the neuroretina and maintain ocular immune privilege.     

转化生长因子-β在骨髓间充质干细胞治疗实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力机制中的作用

目的探讨转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)在骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)治疗实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力(EAMG)机制中的作用。方法分离培养健康Lewis大鼠BMSCs,并进行大量体外扩增;以大鼠来源的乙酰胆碱受体(R-AChR)2次免疫Lewis大鼠,建立EAMG模型;第2次免疫的同时,经尾静脉移植BMSCs,1×107个/只,依据Lennon评分标准,进行体重测量和临床体征评定。并通过体外实验进一步探讨TGF-β在治疗EAMG过程中的具体机制。结果BMSCs移植明显缓解了EAMG的临床症状,临床评分及体重变化差异均有统计学意义,表明治疗有效;体外实验结果显示,BMSCs能通过TGF-β的分泌影响AChR特异性Th17/Treg细胞亚群的分布及其相关因子的分泌,以anti-TGF-β抗体封闭后,这种调节作用在一定程度上被抑制。结论BMSCs通过细胞因子TGF-β,能在一定程度上调节AChR特异性Th17/Treg细胞亚群的平衡,从而起到治疗EAMG的作用。     

CD4+ T-Cell Plasticity in Non-Infectious Retinal Inflammatory Disease

Non-infectious uveitis (NIU) is a potentially sight-threatening disease. Effector CD4⁺ T cells, especially interferon-γ-(IFNγ) producing Th1 cells and interleukin-17-(IL-17) producing Th17 cells, are the major immunopathogenic cells, as demonstrated by adoptive transfer of disease in a model of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU). CD4⁺FoxP3⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were known to suppress function of effector CD4⁺ T cells and contribute to resolution of disease. It has been recently reported that some CD4⁺ T-cell subsets demonstrate shared phenotypes with another CD4⁺ T-cell subset, offering the potential for dual function. For example, Th17/Th1 (co-expressing IFNγ and IL-17) cells and Th17/Treg (co-expressing IL-17 and FoxP3) cells have been identified in NIU and EAU. In this review, we have investigated the evidence as to whether these ‘plastic CD4⁺ T cells’ are functionally active in uveitis. We conclude that Th17/Th1 cells are generated locally, are resistant to the immunosuppressive effects of steroids, and contribute to early development of EAU. Th17/Treg cells produce IL-17, not IL-10, and act similar to Th17 cells. These cells were considered pathogenic in uveitis. Future studies are needed to better clarify their function, and in the future, these cell subsets may in need to be taken into consideration for designing treatment strategies for disease.     

含IL-2基因的乙型肝炎病毒DNA疫苗的构建及其免疫效果

目的构建含白细胞介素-2(IL-2)基因的乙型肝炎病毒DNA疫苗,并考察免疫效果。方法将微小病毒内部核糖体进入位点(Internal ribosomal entry site,IRES)基因克隆到质粒pVAX1载体多克隆位点处,再将乙肝病毒表面抗原(HB-sAg)基因和IL-2基因分别连接在IRES基因的两侧,构建出乙肝病毒DNA疫苗pHII。将pHII转染COS-7细胞,进行瞬时表达。大量提取质粒后,按0、2、4周程序免疫BALB/c小鼠,以pVAX1质粒为阴性对照,pVAX/HBsAg质粒为阳性对照。第1针免疫1周后开始眼眶采血,检测血清中HBsAg和HBsAb含量。第1针免疫13周后处死小鼠,用流式细胞仪检测其脾脏T细胞表面CD4+、CD8+分子数量。结果在转染pHII质粒的COS-7细胞上清液中检测到HBsAg和IL-2的表达。实验组和阳性对照组小鼠分别于第1针免疫2、4周后,在血清中检测出HBsAb,但阴性对照组未测出。以上3组均未检测出HBsAg。实验组与阳性对照组相比,产生抗体的时间提前2周,抗体阳转率提高2.5倍,产生抗体的量也提高了近3倍。实验组CD4+分子数量和CD4+/CD8+值均高于阳性对照组。结论乙肝病毒DNA疫苗pHII成功诱导出小鼠的免疫应答,其免疫效果明显优于不含分子佐剂的乙肝DNA疫苗。     

Distribution and clinical significance of th17 cells in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood of pancreatic cancer patients

This study was designed to investigate the distribution of Th17 cells in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood of pancreatic cancer patients, its clinical significance, and the expression profile of Th17 cell-associated cytokines. The percentage of Th17 cells detected by flow cytometry analysis (FACS) was significantly higher in 46 pancreatic tumor tissues (5.28 ± 1.65%) compared with corresponding adjacent normal tissues (2.57 ± 0.83%) (P = 0.031). In addition, the percentage of Th17 cells was significantly higher in stage III-IV tumors than stage I-II tumors (P = 0.039). The percentage of Th17 cells in peripheral blood of 20 pancreatic cancer patients (3.99 ± 1.15%) was significantly higher than 15 healthy volunteers (1.98 ± 0.57%) (P = 0.027). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect IL-17(+) cells in 46 pancreatic tumor tissues, as well as expression of CD34 in 24 tumor tissues. IL-17 was shown to mainly locate in cytoplasm, and the frequency of IL-17(+) cells in tumor tissues (39/46) was higher than control (29/46). The presence of IL-17(+) cells in tumor tissues was associated with tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage, and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012 and P = 0.009) but not with patient sex, age, tumor size, and histological grade (P > 0.05). Interestingly, distribution of Th17 cells in tumor tissues was positively correlated with microvessel density (MVD) (r = 0.86, P = 0.018). Furthermore, the median survival time of patients with high and low level of IL-17(+) cells frequency was 14.5 and 18.5 months respectively (P = 0.023). The serum levels of Th17 cell-associated cytokines, IL-17 and IL-23 in 20 pancreatic patients detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were 69.2 ± 28.5 pg/mL and 266.5 ± 98.1 pg/mL, respectively, which were significantly higher than 15 healthy volunteers (P = 0.015 and P = 0.02). Moreover, levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in stage III-IV tumors than stage I-II tumors (P = 0.04 and P = 0.036). This study suggests that increase in Th17 cells frequency and its related cytokines levels in pancreatic tumor tissues may indicate involvement in the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer, which may thereby affect patient prognosis. Therefore, Th17 cells and related cytokines may be served as important immune indicators for predicting the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients.