Exploring the Contribution of TLR7 to Sex-Based Disparities in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)-Induced Inflammation and Immunity.

ABSTRACT: TLR7 plays a key role in recognizing viral RNA to initiate an immune response. Sex-based differences in the severity of RSV respiratory infections have been noted, and this may be related to higher expression of X-linked toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) in female immune cells. Indeed, TLR7 has been shown to influence sex differences in responses to other respiratory viruses; however, its role in RSV infection remains underexplored. We infected adult C57Bl/6 or TLR7 knockout mice with RSV and compared the specific lung immune responses between different sexes. Gene expression analysis revealed that infected female mice had elevated levels of type I and II interferons, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and viral transcripts in their lungs compared to males. Additionally, females exhibited in

SUBMITTER: Miles MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11946665 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature