Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of pattern recognition receptors in Behçet's disease (BD). The frequencies of several pattern recognition receptors (CD11b, CD11c, CD32, CD206, CD209, and dectin-1) were analyzed in patients with BD by flow cytometry, and cytokine levels, interleukin- (IL-) 18, IL-23, and IL-17A, were compared in plasma. The analysis was performed in active (n = 13) and inactive (n = 13) stages of BD patients. Rheumatoid arthritis patients (n = 19), as a disease control, and healthy control (HC) (n = 19) were enrolled. The frequencies of CD11b+ and CD32+ cells were significantly increased in active BD patients compared to HC. Disease severity score was correlated to CD11c+, CD206+, and CD209+ in whole leukocytes and CD11b+, CD11c+, CD206+, CD209+, and Dectin-1+ in granulocytes. The plasma levels of IL-17A were significantly different between HC and active BD. IL-18 showed significant difference between active and inactive BD patients. From this study, we concluded the expressions of several pattern recognition receptors were correlated to the joint symptoms of BD.