Method: Immunohistochemistry staining, RNA extraction and quantitative Real-time Quantitative PCR analysis, ELISA test with IL-17 in Serum and upper and supernatant fluid
Result: (1)In OSCC and OLK patients group, higher proportion of positive IL-17 or IL-23p19 positive cells around the lamina propria were observed comparing with controls, and it also showed apparent positive reaction to IL-17R antibody in the OSCC group. IL17+ cells in moderate oral epithelial dysplasia take a proportion of 2.0~2.39% in whole infiltrate T lymphocytes，while in severe dysplasia case it increased to 10~16%. IL17+ cells in OSCC-T1-2 local tissues take a proportion of 16.5~36.7% in whole infiltrate T lymphocytes. IL17+ cells in OSCC-T3-4 tissues take a proportion of 2.35~8.03% in whole infiltrate T lymphocytes, lower than in OSCC-T1-2. (2)Expression of IL-17/IL-17R mRNA and IL-23p19 mRNA were significantly higher in OSCC group compared with healthy group (P < 0.05). The result of correlation analysis showed that gene expression of IL-17/Il-17R and IL-23p19 had a significant coefficient (P < 0.05). (3) Human recombinant IL-17 can enhance migration of HSC-3 cells lines in vitro and increased its differentiation. And also recombinant IL-17 can increase the production of inflammation cytokines in HSC-3 cell lines, such as CCL20、IL-8、IL-6. We also find there are higher expression significance in many associated inflammation cytokines CCL20、CCL-5、IL-6、IL-12、HBD-1，and lower expression with CXCL-11、IFN-r in OSCC tissues than healthy controls. (P < 0.05)
Conclusion: IL-17 might play an important role in pro-tumor reaction in the progress of oral carcinogenesis. It could be used as a potential biomarker in diagnosis and treatment of OSCC in the future.