title: Predominant type 1 CMV-specific memory T-helper response in humans: evidence for gender differences in cytokine secretion.
abstract: Cell-mediated memory immune responses to viral antigens are important for protection against viruses causing persistent or acute infections. This study compared the cytokine profile of memory T-helper cells specific for cytomegalovirus (CMV) in healthy CMV-seropositive men and women. The cytokine response reflected T(H)1 bias, with dominant secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma along with moderate levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-2. Analyzed by gender, women had higher and significant spontaneous release of IFN-gamma and CMV-specific IL-2 secretion. Similar analysis with herpes simplex virus-1 showed a trend toward higher cytokine responsiveness in women, but the differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, men had statistically significant higher influenza virus-specific tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion. IL-4 and IL-5, both T(H)2 cytokines, were low for all three viruses. The results show a predominant T(H)1 antiviral cytokine T-help memory response with significant differences linked to gender. Such differences may have an impact in the design of immunization strategies against CMV.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Beckman Research Institute of the City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Villacres
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Longmate
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Auge
authors.forename: Don J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Diamond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D000941:Antigens / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000378:metabolism; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009975:Orthomyxoviridae / Q000276:immunology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012737:Sex Factors; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000941:Antigens; D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015848:Interleukin-5; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma