title: Contribution of CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells to female-dominant antigen-induced T helper type 2 cytokine production by bronchial lymph node cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  After puberty, asthma severity is higher in women than in men. The underlying mechanisms of this gender difference are not fully understood. In murine models of allergic asthma, more severe airway inflammation in female mice is associated with higher levels of T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the contributions of CD4(+) T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) to the differences in Th2 cytokine production between sexes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bronchial lymph node (BLN) cells from ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized male and female C57BL/6 mice were stimulated with OVA and anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies. The CD4(+) T cells and DCs purified from BLN cells were cocultured with OVA in a sex-matched or mismatched fashion. The CD4(+) T cells were also stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-4, IL-13 and interferon (IFN)-γ in the culture supernatants were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The concentrations of IL-5, IL-4 and IL-13, but not IFN-γ, were significantly higher in female BLN cells stimulated with OVA than in male BLN cells. Sex differences were also observed in the CD4(+) T cells stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies, whereas only IL-4 was significantly different in the BLN cells stimulated with antibodies. IL-5 production by OVA-stimulated male and female CD4(+) T cells, but not IL-4 or IL-13 production, was significantly increased in the coculture with female DCs when compared to the male DCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differences in Th2 cytokine production between sexes by the BLN cells may be attributable, at least in part, to the differing functions of CD4(+) T cells and DCs between sexes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okuyama
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suenaga
authors.forename: Shyunya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Furuki
authors.forename: Tasuku
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawano
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ohkawara
authors.forename: Motoaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takayanagi
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kikuchi
authors.forename: Isao
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ohno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001980:Bronchi; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D012737:Sex Factors; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D018106:CD28 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell