HES1 and Behcet disease: Hes1 is the most representative target gene in the Notch signaling pathway, and Hes1 mRNA expression is upregulated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with BD, indicating increased activation of the Notch signaling pathway, which may result in increased STAT3 phosphorylation and, in turn, activation of the Th17 response.