Objective:To observe the serum profile of Th17-related cytokines（IL-1β,IL-6,IL-17A,IL-23, and TGF-β）in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis,so as to study the role of Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).Methods:Seventy-eight patients with PBC,30 patients with HBV-related posthepatitic cirrhosis(PHC),and 60 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study.The serum levels of above five Th17-related cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:The levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-17A, and IL-23 in PBC group were significantly higher than those in HC group (P<0.05); the levels of TGF-β were comparable between the PBC group and HC group.The levels of IL-1β,IL-6, and TGF-β were significantly lower and IL-17A,IL-23 were significantly higher in the PBC group compared with those in the PHC group (P<0.05).Conclusion:Our findings indicate that PBC patients are in a status of chronic inflammation.Th17 subset may play an important role in the development and progression of PBC.