Correlation between circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells and Th17 cells in esophageal cancer

Figure 2 Levels of Th17 cells and Th17-related cytokines and transcriptional factor in the peripheral blood of esophageal cancer compared with healthy controls. A: Flow cytometric analysis of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood from ECA patients and healthy control (HC); B: The mRNA levels of IL-17 was determined by real-time PCR; C: The mRNA levels of ROR-γt was determined by real-time PCR; D: The mRNA levels of IL-6 was determined by real-time PCR; E: The mRNA levels of TNF-α was determined by real-time PCR; F: Representative flow diagrams of a healthy volunteer with marked elevation of circulating Th17 cells; G: Representative flow diagrams of an ECA patient with marked elevation of circulating Th17 cells are shown. Data were analyzed by the Student’s t-test. ^aP < 0.05, ^bP < 0.01 vs HC group. ECA: Esophageal cancer; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-α; IL: Interleukin; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; FITC: Fluorescein isothiocyanate; FSC: Forward scatter; SSC: Side scatter.