Genetic regulation of testosterone-induced immune suppression.
Genes in the major histocompatibility complex (H-2) of the mouse control several immune functions as well as various facets of testosterone (Te) physiology. In order to study the genetic control of Te-induced immune suppression, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA; containing Mycobacteria tuberculosis) was administered parenterally to several mouse strains differing at the H-2 complex which were either sham- or Te-treated. The specific lymphocyte proliferative response to purified protein derivative (PPD) was measured in draining lymph node cells. The response to PPD in strains bearing H-2b (B6 and B10) but not H-2d (B10.D2 and DBA/2) or H-2k (B10.BR and AKR) haplotypes was markedly lower in Te-implanted compared to sham-implanted controls. This result suggests that the ability of Te to dampen the immune response to PPD is regulated by H-2-linked gene(s).
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects; D013045:Species Specificity; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000494:pharmacology
D006183:H-2 Antigens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D014373:Tuberculin; D003208:Concanavalin A; D013739:Testosterone