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Gender Difference in the Non‐Specific and Specific Immune Response in Humans
Author(s) -
Bouman Annechien,
Schipper Martin,
Heineman Maas Jan,
Faas Marijke M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2004.00177.x
Subject(s) - immune system , cytokine , flow cytometry , immunology , tumor necrosis factor alpha , biology , interleukin , interleukin 2 , endocrinology
Problem: The purpose of this present ex vivo study is to get insight in the sex differences of the basic non‐specific and specific immune response. Method of study: Intracellular types 1 and 2 cytokine production by stimulated male and female lymphocytes and monocytes in a whole blood preparation was measured by flow cytometry. Results: Increased percentage interleukin (IL)‐12, IL‐1 β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐ α producing monocytes and decreased percentage IL‐2 producing lymphocytes, i.e. type 1 cytokine, were found in men as compared with women. Conclusion: These results suggest a gender difference in the balance between the specific and non‐specific immune response, i.e. a more profound and higher state of excitation of the non‐specific immune response and relative suppression of the cellular immune response of the specific immune system in men as compared with women.