Negative correlation between testosterone and TNF-α in umbilical cord serum favors a weakened immune milieu in the human male fetoplacental unit

Publication date: Available online 22 October 2018Source: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyAuthor(s): Andrea Olmos-Ortiz, Janice García-Quiroz, Ali Halhali, Euclides Avila, Verónica Zaga-Clavellina, Roberto Chavira-Ramírez, Rocío García-Becerra, Felipe Caldiño-Soto, Fernando Larrea, Lorenza DíazAbstractClinical and epidemiological evidence supports that pregnancies carrying a male fetus are more vulnerable to infections and preterm birth, probably due to testosterone immunosuppressive properties. In human placentas, testosterone lowers the expression of CYP27B1, the vitamin D (VD)-activating enzyme, diminishing cathelicidin synthesis, a potent VD-dependent antimicrobial peptide (AMP). VD also stimulates other AMPs, including defensins. To get insights into the increased male vulnerability mechanisms, we investigated the relationship between fetal sex and the immunoendocrine milieu at the fetoplacental unit. For this, umbilical vein serum and placental samples were collected from healthy newborns. In males’ serum, testosterone levels were significantly higher and negatively associated with TNF-α, a cytokine that strengthens the immune response. Males showed lower serum TNF-α and increased levels and gene expression of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10. Only in female samples there was a positive association (P < 0.05) between AMPs and both TNF-α and CYP27B1 and between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and IL-1β serum levels. Accordingly, VD-...
Source: The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Category: Biochemistry Source Type: research