title: Plasmacytoid dendritic cell interferon-α production to R-848 stimulation is decreased in male infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sex differences in response to microbial infections, especially viral ones, may be associated with Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated responses by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, we identified sex differences in human infant pDC interferon-α production following challenge with the TLR7/8 agonist R-848. Male pDC responses were significantly lower than those of females during early infancy. This difference may be attributed to the androgen surge experienced by males during the early infancy period. Pretreatment of human pDCs with dihydrotestosterone produced a significant reduction in interferon-α production following R-848 challenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Androgen-mediated regulation of pDC TLR7-driven innate immune responses may contribute to the observed sex differences in response to infections during early infancy.
authors: Division of Infectious Disease and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 364 Plantation, Worcester, MA 01605, USA. Jennifer.wang@umassmed.edu
authors: Jennifer P
authors: JP
authors: Wang
authors: Lei
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Rachel F
authors: RF
authors: Madera
authors: Marcia
authors: M
authors: Woda
authors: Daniel H
authors: DH
authors: Libraty
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007223:Infant; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D051199:Toll-Like Receptor 7 / Q000819:agonists*; D051200:Toll-Like Receptor 8 / Q000819:agonists*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D051199:Toll-Like Receptor 7; D051200:Toll-Like Receptor 8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; C402365:resiquimod