Sex differences in cytokine production following West Nile virus infection: Implications for symptom manifestation. Issue 2 (27th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoffman, Kevin W; Lee, Jakleen J; Foster, Gregory A; Krysztof, David; Stramer, Susan L; Lim, Jean K
• Is Part Of: Pathogens and disease. Volume 77:Issue 2(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-03-27
• Subjects: blood donations -- clinical outcome -- blood bank -- susceptibility -- sex differences -- cytokines; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Pathogenic microorganisms -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Microbiology -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases -- Pathogenesis -- Periodicals; Host-parasite relationships -- Periodicals; Systems biology -- Periodicals; 616.904105
• DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftz016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2049-632X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: West Nile virus (WNV) infection outcomes vary among individuals, with most infections resulting in asymptomatic or mild flu-like symptoms. We previously reported an association between early cytokine production and symptom outcome following WNV infection in US blood donors. In this meta-analysis, we found that WNV-infected females reported more symptoms than WNV-infected males, despite similar initial viremia and type I interferon responses. As the infection progressed, males exhibited a protracted cytokine response—marked by sustained CCL2 (MCP-1), CCL11 (eotaxin-1), CXCL10 (IP-10) and IL-15—that was absent in females. Our results suggest that sex differences may be a factor in sustaining WNV immunity. Abstract : Sex may play a role in regulating the host cytokine response to West Nile virus infection in humans.