Sex differences in resident immune cell phenotype underlie more efficient acute inflammatory responses in female mice.

ABSTRACT: Females are protected against mortality arising from severe sepsis; however, the precise mechanisms that confer this survival advantage in females over males are unclear. Resident leukocytes in resting tissues have a significant influence on circulating cytokine levels and recruitment of blood leukocytes during acute inflammatory responses. Whether the phenotype of resident leukocytes is distinct in females is unknown. In the present study, we show that the numbers of leukocytes occupying the naive peritoneal and pleural cavities is higher in female than in male mice and rats, comprising more T and B lymphocytes and macrophages. The altered immune cell composition of the female peritoneum is controlled by elevated tissue chemokine expression. Female resident macrophages also exhibit greate

SUBMITTER: Scotland RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5363818 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature