Gender-based differences in cytokine production after burn injury: a role of interleukin-6.
BACKGROUND
Gender-specific differences have been found in the survival of patients after a burn injury. Using a murine model of burn injury, suppression of cell-mediated immunity occurs in a gender-specific manner. Immunosuppression correlated with elevated circulating interleukin-6. This study examines gender differences in cytokine production after injury and the role of interleukin-6.


METHODS
A murine model of dorsal scald injury was used to examine differences in splenocyte production of interleukin-2, interleukin-4, and interferon-gamma in male versus female mice, and cytokine production in interleukin-6-deficient male mice.


RESULTS
At 24 hours after burn injury, there was substantially greater suppression of T-helper 1 cytokine production in male mice than in female mice. Interleukin-6-deficient male mice had improved cytokine production relative to wild-type mice.


CONCLUSIONS
Suppression of the cell-mediated immune response in male mice correlated with lower T-helper 1 cytokine production, compared with female mice. Additionally, immune response and cytokine production is improved by interleukin-6 deficiency.
Plackett
Timothy P
TP
Department of General Surgery, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Gamelli
Richard L
RL
Kovacs
Elizabeth J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D002056:Burns / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007371:Interferon-gamma