Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats.

Carla Morales-Ferré,Francisco J Pérez-Cano,Margarida Castell,Malén Massot-Cladera,Àngels Franch,Ignasi Azagra-Boronat,María José Rodríguez-Lagunas

doi:10.3390/vaccines8030345

Carla Morales-Ferré, Francisco J Pérez-Cano + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8030345

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Abstract

Rotaviruses (RVs) are the leading pathogens causing severe and acute diarrhea in children and animals. It is well known that sex contributes to shaping immune responses, thus it could also influence the incidence and severity of the RV infection. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of sexual dimorphism on RV infection and its antibody (Ab) immune response in a suckling rat model. Neonatal suckling rats were intragastrically RV-inoculated and clinical indexes derived from fecal samples, as well as immune variables were evaluated. Higher severity of diarrhea, fecal weight and viral elimination were observed in males compared to females (p < 0.05). Regarding the adaptative immunity, the RV shaped the immune response to lower IgG1 levels and an increased Th1/Th2-associated Ab response (p < 0.05). Although females had lower IgG2a levels than males (p < 0.05), the specific anti-RV antibody levels were not sex influenced. In fact, at this age the passive transfer of anti-RV antibodies through breast milk was the critical factor for clustering animals, independently of their sex. It can be concluded that male and female diarrhea severity in RV infection is slightly influenced by sexual dimorphism and is not associated with the specific immune response against the virus.

Highlights

It is widely accepted that males and females have differences in their immune system
To analyze the possible effect of viral infection on the BW, the increase in BW gain was calculated during the pre-diarrhea
Similar BW gain during the diarrhea period was observed for both sexes and during the post-diarrhea period

Summary

Introduction

It is widely accepted that males and females have differences in their immune system. Females generally show stronger humoral and cellular immune responses to infection or antigenic stimulation than males, which can provide protection against pathogens but can lead to an aberrant inflammatory response increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases [1,2,3,4]. There are sex differences in the severity of some viral infections [4,5,6]. Some studies have demonstrated that women suffering from acute infection of Hepatitis C virus are more likely to spontaneously eliminate the virus. During the chronical stage of this infection, women have less risk of cirrhosis compared to men [7]

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