Increased Levels of Serum Interleukin-17 in Patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

BACKGROUND

CD4+ T-cells play important roles in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). However, there is limited data about characteristics and function of the newly interleukin (IL)-17-producing T-helper cells in this common autoimmune thyroid disorder.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the levels of T-helper 17-related cytokines in sera of patients with HT.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Cytokine concentrations were measured in 48 patients with overt (n = 23) and subclinical hypothyroidism (25) and 35 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The serum levels of IL-17 were significantly higher in patients than controls (P = 0.001) while no differences were observed with regard to levels of IL-22 and IL-23 between patients and normal controls.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that IL-17 could play some role in the pathogenesis of HT.