title: Th17/Th1 phenotype in demyelinating disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Th17 cells are thought to contribute to the immunopathology of allergic and autoimmune conditions. Their role in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology remains to be fully elucidated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess peripheral blood Th17 responses in patients with MS compared to controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  We isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 41 MS patients and 23 healthy controls, which were then stimulated using phorbol ester and ionomycin, labelled for CD3, CD8, CD154, IL-17 and IFN-gamma and analysed using flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Minimal IL-17 was detectable in unstimulated cells. Following stimulation with phorbol ester and ionomycin, PBMCs taken from MS patients in relapse developed a more inflammatory profile than those taken from controls or non-relapse patients, with greater expression of CD154, IL-17 and dual expression of IL-17/IFN-gamma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest a greater tendency to Th17 and Th1/Th17 response to non-specific stimulation in MS patients in relapse compared to controls and non-relapse patients.
authors.affiliation: Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK. ljedwards@doctors.net.uk
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Robins
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Constantinescu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000276:immunology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003710:Demography; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D012008:Recurrence; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D007371:Interferon-gamma