All- trans retinoic acid ameliorates S100-induced experimental autoimmune hepatitis by regulating the Treg/Th17 balance

BACKGROUND: retinoic acid (atRA) sustains Treg cell function while inhibiting pathogenic Th17 cell differentiation. This study explored the potential of atRA for treating experimental AIH (EAH). METHODS: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), RT-qPCR, and immunoblotting. RESULTS: T cells in the liver, increased the proportion of splenic Tregs, decreased the proportion of splenic Th17 cells, and restored the Treg/Th17 ratio. atRA also significantly reduced serum IL-6 levels and inhibited the activation of STAT3. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that atRA ameliorated S100-induced EAH likely by suppressing the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway to restore the Treg/Th17 balance. Therefore, atRA may be a promising therapeutic drug for treating AIH.