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BMC Immunology
Published in: BMC Immunology 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Plasmacytoid dendritic cell interferon-α production to R-848 stimulation is decreased in male infants

Authors: Jennifer P Wang, Lei Zhang, Rachel F Madera, Marcia Woda, Daniel H Libraty

Published in: BMC Immunology | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

Sex differences in response to microbial infections, especially viral ones, may be associated with Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated responses by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs).

Results

In this study, we identified sex differences in human infant pDC interferon-α production following challenge with the TLR7/8 agonist R-848. Male pDC responses were significantly lower than those of females during early infancy. This difference may be attributed to the androgen surge experienced by males during the early infancy period. Pretreatment of human pDCs with dihydrotestosterone produced a significant reduction in interferon-α production following R-848 challenge.

Conclusions

Androgen-mediated regulation of pDC TLR7-driven innate immune responses may contribute to the observed sex differences in response to infections during early infancy.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Plasmacytoid dendritic cell interferon-α production to R-848 stimulation is decreased in male infants
Authors
Jennifer P Wang
Lei Zhang
Rachel F Madera
Marcia Woda
Daniel H Libraty
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Immunology / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2172
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2172-13-35

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