17Beta-estradiol increases Leishmania mexicana killing in macrophages from DBA/2 mice by enhancing production of nitric oxide but not pro-inflammatory cytokines.
We have previously shown that female DBA/2 mice are significantly more resistant to Leishmania mexicana compared with males. Here, we have analyzed the effect of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) on function and cytokine production in male and female DBA/2 macrophages in vitro. We show that E(2) increases NO production and parasite killing in L. mexicana-infected male and female DBA/2 macrophages without increasing production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These data indicate that E(2) may enhance leishmanicidal activity in macrophages by directly regulating production of NO.
Lezama-Dávila
C M
CM
Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA. lezama-davila.1@osu.edu
Isaac-Márquez
A P
AP
Barbi
J
J
Oghumu
S
S
Satoskar
A R
AR
D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D007894:Leishmania mexicana / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
D015850:Interleukin-6; D018664:Interleukin-12; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004958:Estradiol