Abstract
PROBLEM: Cytokine production of monocytes and lymphocytes differs between males and females. This difference is characterized by a decreased percentage of interleukin (IL)-2-producing lymphocytes and an increased percentage of IL-12, IL-1beta and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-producing monocytes in males compared with females. In the present study, we investigated whether testosterone may explain these differences.
METHOD OF STUDY: Stimulated whole blood of healthy woman was incubated with different concentrations of testosterone. Intracellular lymphocyte production of IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma, as well as intracellular monocyte production of IL-12, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were measured using flow cytometry.
RESULTS: A significant increased percentage of IL-12- and IL-1beta-producing monocytes was found after incubation with physiological concentrations of testosterone. No effect of testosterone was found on IL-2- and IFN-gamma-producing lymphocytes and TNF-alpha-producing monocytes.
CONCLUSIONS: The increased percentage of IL-12- and IL-1beta-producing monocytes in males compared with females in vivo may be induced by testosterone, as the in vitro percentage of IL-12- and IL-1beta-producing monocytes is increased after incubation with physiological concentrations of testosterone.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 237-243 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | American Journal of Reproductive Immunology |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - Oct-2004 |
Keywords
- cytokine production
- IL-1 beta
- IL-12
- lymphocytes
- monocytes
- testosterone
- T-CELLS
- SEX-HORMONES
- EXPRESSION
- PROGESTERONE
- DIFFERENCE
- STEROIDS
- SURVIVAL
- GENDER
- CD11B
- IL-4