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BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the potential role of IL-35 in Graves' disease(GD). METHODS A total of 142 GD patients including 80 newly onset patients, 52 refractory patients and 10 remission patients and 70 normal controls(NCs) were recruited. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of P35 and Epstein-Barr-virus-induced gene 3 (Ebi3) were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Serum level of IL-35 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS The expression of IL-35mRNA in newly onset GD and refractory GD were both significantly higher than NC. Comparison between remission GD and NC showed no significant difference(P>0.05). A significant increase of Ebi3mRNA expression was observed in newly onset GD compared with remission GD(P=0.030). The newly onset GD showed a tendency for increased expression of serum IL-35 but without significant difference. No correlation between IL-35 expression and clinic parameters was found. CONCLUSIONS Our preliminary observations indicate that IL-35 and CD4+P35+Ebi3+T cell may be involved in the pathogenesis of GD.