Ryota H, et al. - In the present study, the clinicopathological and immunological profiles of follicular pancreatitis patients undergoing surgery were evaluated by researchers. Study participants included three patients with pancreatic masses (age range: 62-75 years; women:men: 1:2). Storiform fibrosis, obliterate phlebitis or granulocytic epithelial lesions have not been observed. The immunohistochemical examination showed that all patients had an IgG4/IgG-positive plasma cell ratio of <30%. Podoplanin (Th17 marker)-expressing lymphocytes were present in the lymphoid follicles of those with follicular pancreatitis, while those with IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) were absent in normal lymph nodes and lymphoid follicles. Data reported that follicular pancreatitis is a histopathologically and immunologically distinct pancreatitis disease entity characterized by upregulated expression of Th17. There were high expressions of CCR6 and IL23A, genes related to Th17.