The effect of testosterone on cytokine production in the specific and non-specific immune response.
OBJECTIVE
Cytokine production of monocytes and lymphocytes differs between males and females. This difference is characterized by a decreased percentage of interleukin (IL)-2-producing lymphocytes and an increased percentage of IL-12, IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-producing monocytes in males compared with females. In the present study, we investigated whether testosterone may explain these differences.


METHODS
Stimulated whole blood of healthy woman was incubated with different concentrations of testosterone. Intracellular lymphocyte production of IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, as well as intracellular monocyte production of IL-12, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were measured using flow cytometry.


RESULTS
A significant increased percentage of IL-12- and IL-1beta-producing monocytes was found after incubation with physiological concentrations of testosterone. No effect of testosterone was found on IL-2- and IFN-gamma-producing lymphocytes and TNF-alpha-producing monocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased percentage of IL-12- and IL-1beta-producing monocytes in males compared with females in vivo may be induced by testosterone, as the in vitro percentage of IL-12- and IL-1beta-producing monocytes is increased after incubation with physiological concentrations of testosterone.
Posma
Elske
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Moes
Henk
H
Heineman
Maas Jan
MJ
Faas
Marijke M
MM
D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12; D013739:Testosterone; D007371:Interferon-gamma