Predominant type 1 CMV-specific memory T-helper response in humans: evidence for gender differences in cytokine secretion.

Abstract

Cell-mediated memory immune responses to viral antigens are important for protection against viruses causing persistent or acute infections. This study compared the cytokine profile of memory T-helper cells specific for cytomegalovirus (CMV) in healthy CMV-seropositive men and women. The cytokine response reflected T(H)1 bias, with dominant secretion of interferon (IFN)-gamma along with moderate levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-2. Analyzed by gender, women had higher and significant spontaneous release of IFN-gamma and CMV-specific IL-2 secretion. Similar analysis with herpes simplex virus-1 showed a trend toward higher cytokine responsiveness in women, but the differences were not statistically significant. In contrast, men had statistically significant higher influenza virus-specific tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion. IL-4 and IL-5, both T(H)2 cytokines, were low for all three viruses. The results show a predominant T(H)1 antiviral cytokine T-help memory response with significant differences linked to gender. Such differences may have an impact in the design of immunization strategies against CMV.

• Authors: Maria C Villacres, Jeff Longmate, Catherine Auge, Don J Diamond
• Journal: Human immunology (Hum Immunol) Vol. 65 Issue 5 Pg. 476-85 (May 2004) ISSN: 0198-8859 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15172447 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies
• Antigens
• Antigens, CD
• Cytokines
• Interleukin-2
• Interleukin-5
• Phytohemagglutinins
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Interleukin-10
• Interleukin-4
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antibodies (blood)
• Antigens (pharmacology)
• Antigens, CD (analysis)
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Cytokines (immunology, metabolism)
• Cytomegalovirus (immunology)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Herpesvirus 1, Human (immunology)
• Humans
• Immunologic Memory (immunology)
• Interferon-gamma (metabolism)
• Interleukin-10 (metabolism)
• Interleukin-2 (metabolism)
• Interleukin-4 (metabolism)
• Interleukin-5 (metabolism)
• Leukocytes, Mononuclear (drug effects, immunology, metabolism)
• Linear Models
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Orthomyxoviridae (immunology)
• Phytohemagglutinins (pharmacology)
• Sex Factors
• Th1 Cells (immunology, metabolism)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (metabolism)