目的：检测食管鳞癌患者外周血Th17细胞占淋巴细胞的比例及外周血单个核细胞（peripheral blood mononuclear cell，PBMC）中RORγt和IL-17的表达水平，探讨Th17、RORγt及IL-17在食管鳞癌中的临床意义。方法：收集山东大学齐鲁医院2009年8月至2010年6月40例食管鳞癌患者PBMC标本,其中男24例、女16例，年龄34～78（61±8.76）岁。采集40例健康志愿者PBMC为对照。流式细胞术检测Th17细胞在外周血淋巴细胞中的比例；PT-PCR检测PBMC中RORγt和IL-17 mRNA的表达水平。结果：食管鳞癌患者外周血Th17细胞占淋巴细胞的比例较健康对照者明显升高\[（2.40±0.55）% vs（0.84±0.41）%，P<0.01\]；PBMC中RORγt、IL-17 mRNA表达水平均明显高于健康对照组\[（0.669±0.184）vs（0.451±0151），（0.625±0.179）vs（0.438±0.150），P<0.01\]，且两者呈明显正相关（r=0.551，P<0.01）。食管鳞癌患者转移组与未转移组相比，Th17细胞比例、RORγt和IL-17 mRNA表达水平明显升高（P<0.05）。结论：食管鳞癌患者外周血Th17细胞占淋巴细胞的比例及PBMC中RORγt和IL-17 mRNA表达水平明显升高，Th17细胞可能通过RORγt和IL-17参与食管癌的发生。

Objective:To study the ratio of Th17 cells in peripheral lymphocytes and the expression of RORγt and IL-17 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to investigate their clinical significance. Methods: Forty PBMC samples from ESCC patients (24 men and 16 women, mean age 61±8.76 years), who were diagnosed in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from August 2009 to June 2010, and 40 healthy volunteers were included in the present study. The ratio of Th17 cells in peripheral lymphocytes was detected by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of IL-17 and RORγt mRNA in PBMC were examined by PT-PCR. Results: The ratio of Th17 cells in the peripheral lymphocytes of ESCC patients was significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers (\[2.40±0.55\] % vs \[0.84±0.41\]%, P<0. 01). Both RORγt and IL-17 mRNA expression levels in ESCC patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy volunteers (\[0.669±0.184\] vs \[0.451士0.151\], \[0.625±0.179\] vs \[0.438±0.150\], P<0.01), and the two showed a positive correlation (r2 =0.551, P<0.01). In addition, the Th17 ratio, and RORγt and IL-17 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in metastasis ESCC patients compared with those in the non-metastasis ESCC patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: Th17 ratio and RORγt and IL-17 mRNA expression levels are significantly increased in ESCC patients, and Th17 cells may participate in the development of ESCC through RORγt and IL-17.

国家自然科学基金资助项目（No. 30571844）；山东省科技攻关项目（No.2009GG10002007）；山东省自然科学基金项目（No. ZR2009CM090）