The levels of IL-17A and of the cytokines involved in Th17 cell commitment are increased in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia.

Th17 cells have been associated with immune-mediated diseases in humans but it has still not been determined whether they play a role in immune thrombocytopenia. We evaluated representative cytokines of the Th17, Th1, Th2 and Treg cell commitment in the serum of patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia, as well as the cell source of IL-17A. Higher levels of IL-17A and Th17-related cytokines, and an increased percentage of IL-17A producing CD4+ and neutrophils were observed in patients. The levels of cytokines involved in Th1 cell commitment IFN-γ, IL-2, IL12-p70 and the percentages of Th1 cells were also increased, but IL-4 was not detected. Although the concentrations of IL-10 were higher, the levels of TGF-β were similar in both groups. In conclusion, our results point to a putative role for Th-17 cells/IL-17A cytokine in the pathogenesis of chronic immune thrombocytopenia.