Th17-related cytokine expression is increased in the bronchial mucosa of stable COPD patients

Background: There is an increased number of activated Tl lymphocytes in the bronchial mucosa of stable COPD patients but are absent studies on Th17 cells and their effector cytokines.Objectives: To investigate the expression of retinoic orphan receptor(ROR)C2, interleukin(IL)-17A,IL-17F,IL-21,IL-22 and IL-23 in bronchial biopsies from patients with stable COPD of different severity(stage 2 to 4)compared with age-matched control subject(smokers with normal lung function and lifelong non-smokers).Methods: The expression of RORC2,IL-17A,IL-17F,IL-21,IL-22 and IL-23 was measured in the bronchial mucosa using immunohistochemistry and/or real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: …