title: Expression of X-linked Toll-like receptor 4 signaling genes in female vs. male neonates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Male neonates display poorer disease prognosis and outcomes compared with females. Immune genes which exhibit higher expression in umbilical cord blood (UCB) of females may contribute to the female immune advantage during infection and inflammation. The aim of this study was to quantify expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 signaling genes encoded on the X-chromosome in UCB from term female vs. male neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  UCB samples were collected from term neonates (n = 26) born by elective Caesarean section and whole blood was collected from adults (n = 20). Leukocyte RNA was isolated and used in quantitative PCR reactions for IκB kinase γ (IKKγ), Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), and IL-1 receptor associated kinase (IRAK)1. IRAK1 protein was analyzed by Western blot and confocal microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In neonates there was no significant difference in the relative expression of IKKγ or BTK mRNA between genders. IRAK1 gene and protein expression was significantly higher in female vs. male UCB, with increased cytosolic IRAK1 expression also evident in female UCB mononuclear cells. Adults had higher expression of all three genes compared with neonates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased expression of IRAK1 could be responsible, in part, for sex-specific responses to infection and subsequent immune advantage in female neonates.
authors.affiliation: Neonatology, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|Respiratory Research, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|Paediatrics, Academic Centre, Tallaght Hospital, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: O'Driscoll
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Santi
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Research, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: McKiernan
authors.affiliation: Paediatrics, Academic Centre, Tallaght Hospital, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: McEneaney
authors.affiliation: Neonatology, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|Respiratory Research, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|Paediatrics, Academic Centre, Tallaght Hospital, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.|Neonatology, Coombe Women and Infants' University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.|Neonatology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eleanor J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Molloy
authors.affiliation: Clinical Microbiology, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Education and Research Centre, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Greene
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000077329:Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase; D000367:Age Factors; D041321:Chromosomes, Human, X; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D051550:I-kappa B Kinase / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D053592:Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012737:Sex Factors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D047929:Term Birth; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C491731:IKBKG protein, human; D012269:Ribosomal Proteins; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; C054675:ribosomal protein P0; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000077329:Agammaglobulinaemia Tyrosine Kinase; C000625949:BTK protein, human; C507768:IRAK1 protein, human; D053592:Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated Kinases; D051550:I-kappa B Kinase