Aim

Periampullary adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a malignant tumor originating at the ampulla of Vater, distal common bile duct, head of the pancreas, ampulla and duodenum. The levels of circulating Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in patients with PAC remain unreported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of circulating Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines in patients with PAC.

Materials and methods

Flow cytometry was used to measure Th17 cell proportions in PBMCs from 60 PAC patients and 30 healthy controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify IL-17A and IL-23 levels in serum samples, while quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assessed IL-17A mRNA expression and Th17-related transcription factors (RORγt and STAT3) in tissue samples.

Results

The findings showed a substantial increase in Th17 cell percentages, elevated concentrations of IL-17A and IL-23, and higher mRNA expression levels of IL-17A, RORγt, and STAT3 in patients with PAC when compared to healthy controls (HCs).

Conclusion

Th17 cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of PAC and may represent potential therapeutic targets.

中文翻译：

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壶腹周围腺癌患者外周血 Th17 细胞和 Th17 相关细胞因子水平升高

目的

壶腹周围腺癌（PAC）是起源于Vater壶腹、远端胆总管、胰头、壶腹部和十二指肠的恶性肿瘤。PAC 患者循环 Th17 细胞和 Th17 相关细胞因子的水平尚未有报道。因此，本研究的目的是确定 PAC 患者循环 Th17 细胞和 Th17 相关细胞因子的水平。

材料和方法

使用流式细胞术测量 60 名 PAC 患者和 30 名健康对照者的 PBMC 中 Th17 细胞比例。使用酶联免疫吸附测定 (ELISA) 定量血清样本中的 IL-17A 和 IL-23 水平，而定量逆转录聚合酶链反应 (qRT-PCR) 评估 IL-17A mRNA 表达和 Th17 相关转录因子 (RORγt)和 STAT3）在组织样本中。

结果

研究结果显示，与健康对照 (HC) 相比，PAC 患者的Th17 细胞百分比显着增加，IL-17A 和 IL-23 浓度升高，IL-17A、RORγt 和STAT3 mRNA 表达水平更高。

结论

Th17 细胞在 PAC 的发病机制中发挥着重要作用，可能代表潜在的治疗靶点。