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The Effect of Testosterone on Cytokine Production in the Specific and Non‐specific Immune Response
Author(s) -
Posma Elske,
Moes Henk,
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.1600-0897.2004.00216.x
Subject(s) - testosterone (patch) , cytokine , endocrinology , medicine , incubation , monocyte , immune system , biology , tumor necrosis factor alpha , interleukin , intracellular , lymphocyte , interleukin 2 , immunology , biochemistry
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‐1 β and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐ α ‐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)‐ γ , as well as intracellular monocyte production of IL‐12, IL‐1 β and TNF‐ α were measured using flow cytometry. Results: A significant increased percentage of IL‐12‐ and IL‐1 β ‐producing monocytes was found after incubation with physiological concentrations of testosterone. No effect of testosterone was found on IL‐2‐ and IFN‐ γ ‐producing lymphocytes and TNF‐ α ‐producing monocytes. Conclusions: The increased percentage of IL‐12‐ and IL‐1 β ‐producing monocytes in males compared with females in vivo may be induced by testosterone, as the in vitro percentage of IL‐12‐ and IL‐1 β ‐producing monocytes is increased after incubation with physiological concentrations of testosterone.