Fig. 2

Th17 cell proportion, related cytokines and mRNA expression level in 3 groups. A The proportion of Th17 cells in 3 groups. The proportion of Th17 cells was significantly increased in HMOD and non-HMOD group compared with control group, while Th17 cells was also increased in HMOD group compared with non-HMOD group (P < 0.005). B, C The concentrations of IL-17 and IL-23 in 3 groups. IL-17 and IL-23 concentrations was significantly increased in both HMOD and non-HMOD group compared with control group, and the cytokine level in HMOD group was also higher than that in non-HMOD group (P < 0.005). D The mRNA expression level of IL-17, RORγt and STAT-3 in 3 groups. mRNA expression level of IL-17, RORγt and STAT-3 was increased in both HMOD and non-HMOD group compared with control group, and was also increased in non-HMOD group compared with control group (P < 0.005). Th17 cell proportion, related cytokines and mRNA expression level in control group (n = 63), non-HMOD group (n = 86) and HMOD group (n = 92) were compared by one-way analysis of variance. Bonferroni correction was used for multiple comparisons. HMOD, hypertension-mediated organ damage; RORɣt, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γt; STAT 3, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3; IL, interleukin. *P < 0.005 when comparing with control group. **P < 0.005 when comparing with non-HMOD group