Androgens suppress antigen-specific T cell responses and IFN-γ production during intracranial LCMV infection.
Intracranial (i.c.) lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection of mice results in T cell-driven anorexia and weight loss, which is diminished in males compared to females. We investigated sex-specific effects on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and T cells after i.c. LCMV infection. Numbers of LCMV-specific T cells, APC activation, and levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in CSF were decreased in males compared to females. Orchidectomy enhanced these immune parameters in males, while dihydrotestosterone treatment of orchidectomized males and intact females decreased some of these parameters. These data suggest that qualitative and quantitative effects of androgens on APCs and T cells may contribute to the well-known, but poorly understood sex differences in immunity and autoimmunity.
Lin
Adora A
AA
Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, 3333 Burnet Ave., MLC 7038, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
Wojciechowski
Sara E
SE
Hildeman
David A
DA
D000450:Aldosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains / Q000172:deficiency; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000379:methods; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
D000728:Androgens; D016207:Cytokines; C551613:Myh7 protein, mouse; D013739:Testosterone; D000450:Aldosterone; D004958:Estradiol; C018920:5-dihydroaldosterone; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D018995:Myosin Heavy Chains