Relationship between serum mannose-binding lectin and Th17/Treg cells in patients with silicosis / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between serum mannose-binding lectin( MBL) and T helper cell 17( Th17)/regulatory T cells( Treg) balance in patients with silicosis. METHODS: A total of 101 male patients with silicosis were selected in silicosis group and 62 health individuals in control group using the cross-sectional study. The level of serum MBL was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The ratio of Th17/Treg was recorded by flow cytometry.The relative expression of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor γt( RORγt) and forkhead box 3( Foxp3) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. RESULTS: The level of serum MBL in silicosis group was higher than that of control group( P < 0. 01). The ratio of Th17 cells and the relative expression of RORγt mRNA increased in silicosis group( P < 0. 05),while the ratio of Treg cells and the relative expression of Foxp3 mRNA decreased in silicosis group( P < 0. 05) compared to the control group. The level of serum MBL had negative correlation with forced expiratory volume in the first second,forced vital capacity and forced expiratory flow( P < 0. 05) in patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ silicosis. Meanwhile,the level of serum MBL had negative correlation with Th17 ratio and RORγt mRNA relative expression( P < 0. 05),and positive correlation with Treg ratio and Foxp3 mRNA relative expression( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: MBL might participate in the development of silicosis through regulating the balance of Th17/Treg cells.