Abstract |
Androstenediol (AED) is a metabolic product of dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA), an adrenal steroid known to possess immunomodulatory characteristics. The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of AED treatment in mice ocularly infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The subcutaneous administration of 320 mg/kg AED 4 h prior to viral inoculation was found to enhance the survival of HSV-1-infected mice while lower doses (32.0-100.0 mg/kg) were without effect. However, there were no apparent differences in the viral load in the eye or trigeminal ganglion (TG) 3 or 6 days post infection (p.i.) in vehicle- or AED (320 mg/kg)-treated mice. Likewise, there were no differences in the expression of cytokine or chemokine mRNAs in the eyes or TG early (i.e., 3 days p.i.) following infection. However, by 6 days p.i., there was a significant increase in the expression of the chemokines IP-10, MCP-1, and RANTES and the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the AED (320 mg/kg)-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated controls as determined by reverse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative PCR (for IFN-gamma). Likewise, there was a corresponding increase in IFN-gamma and IL-2 but not IL-12 protein in the TG of AED-treated mice 6 days p.i. AED-treatment also induced a rise in splenic natural killer activity in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Collectively, these results suggest that the protective effect following subcutaneous administration of AED is associated in a rise in selective type 1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) as well as natural killer activity.
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Authors | D J Carr |
Journal | Journal of neuroimmunology
(J Neuroimmunol)
Vol. 89
Issue 1-2
Pg. 160-7
(Aug 14 1998)
ISSN: 0165-5728 [Print] Netherlands |
PMID | 9726838
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Anabolic Agents
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Chemokine CCL2
- Chemokine CCL5
- Chemokine CXCL10
- Chemokines, CXC
- Cytokines
- Interleukin-2
- Interleukin-6
- Interleukin-12
- Interferon-gamma
- Androstenediol
- Corticosterone
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Topics |
- Anabolic Agents
(pharmacology)
- Androstenediol
(pharmacology)
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents
(immunology)
- Chemokine CCL2
(genetics, immunology)
- Chemokine CCL5
(genetics, immunology)
- Chemokine CXCL10
- Chemokines, CXC
(immunology)
- Corticosterone
(blood)
- Cytokines
(blood)
- Encephalitis, Viral
(drug therapy, immunology, mortality)
- Female
- Flow Cytometry
- Gene Expression
(immunology)
- Herpes Simplex
(drug therapy, immunology, mortality)
- Herpesvirus 1, Human
(immunology)
- Injections, Subcutaneous
- Interferon-gamma
(genetics, immunology, metabolism)
- Interleukin-12
(analysis, immunology)
- Interleukin-2
(analysis, immunology)
- Interleukin-6
(genetics, immunology)
- Killer Cells, Natural
(immunology, virology)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred ICR
- Survival Analysis
- Trigeminal Ganglion
(immunology, metabolism, virology)
- Viral Load
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