Analysis of dynamics of Th17 cells in chronic middle ear inflammation induced by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae

摘要

Introduction: The molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic otitis media are poorly defined. Recently, it has been shown that IL-17 producing CD4 T cells, named Th17 cells, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and Th17 cells plays a impotent role in immune responses to fungi and extracellular pathogens. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is also considered a major pathogen underlying middle ear infection. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of IL-17 in chronic otitis media induced by NTHi in BALB/c mice.