Abstract: Objective  To study the relationship between suppressor of cytokine signaling-3(SOCS-3), high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1) and Th17/Treg cell imbalance in children with Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis(HSPN). 
Methods  A total of 100 children with HSPN were selected as research subjects, and included into HSPN group. Meanwhile, 100 children with Henoch Schonlein purpura in our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group, On admission, fasting venous blood was taken from the two groups. The results of HMGB1, SOCS3 mRNA, Th17 and Treg were compared between two groups, and Th17/Treg levels were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to analyze the value of HMGB1, SOCS3 mRNA, Th17, Treg and Th17/Treg in predicting HSPN, and Person coefficient was used to analyze the correlation of HMGB1 and SOCS3 mRNA with Th17, Treg and Th17, Treg. 
Results  In HSPN group, HMGB1, SOCS3 mRNA, Th17, and Th17/Treg were significantly higher than those in control group, while Treg level was significantly lower than that in control group, with statistical difference(P＜0.05). ROC analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUC) of HMGB1, SOCS3 mRNA, Th17, Treg, and Th17/Treg in predicting HSPN in children was 0.944, 0.924, 0.942, 0.973 and 0.955, respectively. According to correlation analysis, HMGB1 and SOCS3 mRNA were significantly and positively correlated with Th17 and Th17/Treg, and significantly and negatively correlated with Treg(P＜0.05). 
Conclusion  The expression of SOCS-3 and HMGB1 in children with HSPN is highly correlated with Th17/Treg cell imbalance.

Key words: purpura, Henoch-Schonlein, nephritis, cytokine signal transduction inhibitory protein 3