关键词: Th17, 白介素, 干眼, 自身免疫性疾病

Abstract: Dry eye is a common ocular surface disease in clinic, and patients show obvious immune homeostasis disruption. Th17 cells, one of the Th subtypes and producing interleukin-17 (IL-17), are widely present in the human body as important immune cells. They generate the iconic cytokines IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22. Transforming growth factor-β, IL-6, IL-21, and IL-23 can promote the differentiation of Th17 cells. Th17 cells play a particularly important role in the immune response of dry eye disease. In dry eye disease, the expression of Th17 related cytokines is increased, and the proportion of Th17/regulatory T cell (Treg) is increased. The migration of Th17 to the ocular surface can further lead to the occurrence and development of dry eye disease. Therefore, searching for Th17-related therapeutic targets may be a key factor in the treatment of dry eye. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2023, 47: 62-67)

Key words: Th17, interleukin, dry eye disease, autoimmune disease