IL-17 and relevant cytokines, IL-21, IL-22 , receptor IL-23R and transcription factor RORC in leprosy patients with Th phenotypes.

Subjects with non polarized Th 0 showed increased expression as compared to polarized Th 1 and Th 2 in all clinical groups as shown in Table 5.Mean Ct of 5 housekeeping genes varied from 21–22.9; Th1 and Th2 were defined on the basis of expression of IFN-γ and IL-4 given as Δ Ct in the upper two rows. IL-17 related gene expression was arbitrarily graded to indicate the range of expression on the basis of Δ Ct of each gene product: (−): 15 to 20 (Ct above 35 cycles was considered negative). (+): 10 to 14, (++): 7 to 9, (+++) 4 to 8. BT: borderline tuberculoid; LL: polar lepromatous leprosy. HC; healthy contacts exposed to leprosy patients to 1–2 years.