The demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants.

<p>TSH, thyrotropin; FT4, free thyroxin; FT3, free triiodothyronine; TRAB, thyrotropin receptor antibody; TPOAb, thyroid peroxidase antibody; TgAb, thyroglobulin antibody; Data shown are the case number or median (range). (mg,Propylthiouracil,Methimazole).</p><p>The demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants.</p

Correlation between serum IL-37 levels and inflammatory cytokines as well as laboratory values.

<p>Correlation between serum IL-37 levels and inflammatory cytokines as well as laboratory values.</p

mRNA and protein levels of IL-37 in active and inactive GD as well as HC.

<p>According to the levels of TSH and FT4, the study GD patients were divided into disease activity (n = 14) and inactive (n = 26) groups. (A) Serum IL-37 protein levels were detected by ELISA in active and inactive GD patients as well as HCs (n = 30). Bars show the expression levels of IL-37 in different groups (mean ± SEM). (B) Levels of IL-37 mRNA in PBMCs from active (n = 14) and inactive (n = 26) GD patients as well as HCs (n = 30) were measured by RT-PCR. Each symbol represents an individual inactive, active patient or healthy control. Horizontal lines indicate median values. Mann-Whitney U-test and associated P values are indicated.</p

IL-37 inhibits the expression of inflammatory cytokines in PBMCs of patients with GD.

<p>PBMCs from GD patients (n = 40) and HCs (n = 30) were stimulated with recombinant IL-37 (100 ng/ml) for 4 h, total RNAs were extracted and analyzed for TNF-α(A), IL-6(B) and IL-17(C) mRNAs by RT-PCR. Results were depicted as box plots, with median (horizontal line within each box) and 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles (bottom bar, bottom of box, top of box, and top bar, respectively). The PBMCs of GD patients and HCs from above the same groups were stimulated with recombinant IL-37 (100 ng/ml) for 24 h and then further stimulated with LPS(1 ng/mL) for 6 h, supernatants were collected and examined for TNF-α (D), IL-6 (E) and IL-17 (F) levels by ELISA. Each symbol represents an individual patient or healthy control. Horizontal lines indicate median values. Actual P values are shown in the graph, NS, no significant.</p

Comparison of mRNA levels of IL-37 and cytokines between GD patients and HCs.

<p>(A) Expressions of IL-37 mRNA in PBMC from GD patients (n = 40) and HCs (n = 30) were determined by RT-PCR. (B) mRNA levels of cytokines TNF-a,IL-6 and IL-17 in GD patients (n = 40) and HCs (n = 30) were analyzed with RT-PCR. Results were depicted as box plots, with median (horizontal line within each box) and 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th percentiles (bottom bar, bottom of box, top of box, and top bar, respectively).</p

Correlation of serum IL-37 levels with pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as laboratory values.

<p>Each symbol represents an individual GD patient. (A–C) Serum IL-37 levels were positively correlated with pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-a, IL-6, IL-17. (D) Negative relationship was observed between serum IL-37 levels and TSH. (E-G) Positively relationship was observed between serum IL-37 levels and FT3, FT4, TRAB. The correlations were evaluated with Spearman's non-parametric test.</p

Comparison the protein levels of IL-37 and inflammatory cytokines between GD patients and HCs.

<p>(A) Serum IL-37 protein levels in GD patients (n = 40) and healthy controls (HC, n = 30) were determined by ELISA. (B) Serum cytokine TNF-a, IL-6 and IL-17 concentrations in GD patients (n = 40) and HCs (n = 30) were analyzed with ELISA. Each symbol represents an individual GD patient and HC. Horizontal lines indicate median values. Mann-Whitney U-test and associated p values are indicated.</p