title: The role of Th17 cells in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F serum levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory condition of the central nervous system, with genetic and environmental factors having a role in its etiology. The condition is characterized by demyelination, acute inflammation, and chronic and acute lesions in the central nervous system. Human and experimental studies have shown that T-helper cells, and pro-inflammatory cytokines have a major role in the pathogenesis of MS. Recent researches have shown that IL-17 secreting T (Th17) cells have a role in inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system. In the present study, the role of Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and Interleukin-17F (IL-17F) in the immunopathogenesis and follow-up of the MS disease was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five relapsing remitting (RR) form of MS patients were included in the present study. Blood samples were taken from 35 MS patients and 35 healthy individuals as controls. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was used to determine IL-17A and IL-17F serum levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant increase was noted in the serum levels of IL-17A and IL-17F in MS patients compared to the controls (P<0.001). There was a significant positive correlation of IL-17F serum levels with the number of relapses (rs=0.717, P<0.001). However, there was no significant relationship between the serum levels of these cytokines and Expanded Standard Disability Stated Scale (EDSS) and disease Progression Index (PI).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data of the present study revealed a significant increase in the serum levels of IL-17A and IL-17F in MS patients compared with healthy controls and a significant positive correlation of IL-17F serum levels with the number of relapses. It appears that increased serum levels of IL-17 and especially IL-17F may lead to a raised risk of MS.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Department, Medicine Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Unit, Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address: zbabaloo@tbzmed.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Zohreh
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Babaloo
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Department, Medicine Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Aliparasti
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department, Medicine Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Farhad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Babaiea
authors.affiliation: Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Shohreh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Almasi
authors.affiliation: Immunology Department, Medicine Faculty, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baradaran
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farhoudi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020381:Interleukin-17
keywords: IL-17A; IL-17F; Multiple Sclerosis; Relapsing-remitting MS; Th17