The Th17/Treg balance and the expression of related cytokines in Uygur cervical cancer patients

Background: The fine balance of Th17/Treg is crucial for maintenance of immune homeostasis. The objective of this study was to investigate the balance of Th17/Treg and the expression of related cytokines in Uighur cervical cancer patients. Methods: Peripheral blood was collected from 65 cases of cervical cancer patients, 42 cases of cervical CIN patients and 40 healthy people. Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of T cell subsets, including CD3(+) T cells, CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, Treg cells and Th17 cells. ELISA assay was conducted to detect expression levels of TGF-beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-23 and IFN-gamma. Results: There were no significant difference in the levels of CD3(+) T cells, CD4(+) T cells, CD8(+) T cells, and the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) among the cervical cancer group, the CIN group and the healthy control group. However, compared with the healthy control group, the percentages of CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg, CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(-)Treg, CD4(+)IL17(+) Th17, CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+), CD4(+)CD25(-) Foxp3(+), CD8(+)CD25(+)CD127(-)Treg and CD8(+)CD25(+)Foxp3 were significantly higher in the cervical cancer group and the CIN group. Similar results were also found in the Th17/Treg ratio and the related cytokines. There was no significant difference between the cervical cancer group and the CIN group. Additionally, Th17 cell levels were positively correlated with IL-6, IL-23 and IL-17. Also, Treg cell levels were positively correlated with TGF-beta, IL-10 and IL-6. Contrarily, Treg cell levels and IFN-gamma were negatively correlated. Conclusions: Our data indicated that the Th17/Treg balance was broken in peripheral blood of cervical cancer patients. Analysis of Th17/Treg balance may have a significant implication in diagnosing cervical cancer.