Objective:To observe the expression of interleukin (IL)-17 in asthmatic mice and to investigate the effect of IL-17 on release of IL-6 in mast cells. Methods:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group and asthma group,and treated with equal amount of phosphate buffer solution (PBS)and ovalbumin (OVA),respectively. Mouse asthma model was validated by detecting the total number of cells and eosinophils (EOS)in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The expression differences between IL-17 mRNA in lung tissues and IL-17 in BALF and serum were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)in the two groups. Mouse P815 mast cells were divided into the control group and the IL-17 group,and treated with equal amount of culture medium and IL-17,respectively. The levels of released IL-6 in supernatants were detected by ELISA. Results:In BALF,the total number of cells and EOS in the asthma group were significantly increased than those in the control group(P < 0.05),and the model was validated. The expressions of IL-17 mRNA in lung tissues and IL-17 in BALF and serum were significantly increased in the asthma group than those in the control group(P < 0.05). In P815 cell supernatants,the secretion of IL-6 in the IL-17 group was significantly increased than that in the control group(P < 0.05). Conclusion:The expression of IL-17 was increased in OVA-induced mouse asthma model. IL-17 may promote the process of asthma by stimulating IL-6 release by mast cells.