Sex differences in preterm cytokine and inflammasome responses and modulation by exogenous sex steroids
Female sex hormones play an important role in modulating the neonatal immune response. This is reflected clinically by better bacterial clearance and improved sepsis outcome in females. This study aims to test the hypothesis that male and female neonates differ in their cytokine and inflammasome response and in response to endotoxin and sex steroid hormones. In preterm infants there is a sex difference in IL-1b responses which is observed rapidly following endotoxin stimulation. Differing immune responses according to sex has implications for future clinical application. Further work to characterise these sex differences may help in guiding therapy during sepsis.
Authors
- John Murphy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7822-1573)
- Matthew McGovern (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6363-2289)
- Ashanty M. Melo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6073-5429)
- Catherine M. Greene (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2549-2569)
- Lynne Kelly (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4782-1143)
- Eleanor J. Molloy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6798-2158)
- Rebecca Finnegan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1264-5004)
- John D. Kelleher (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6462-3248)
Institutions
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (IE)
- Trinity College (CA)
- Trinity College Dublin (IE)
- Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin (IE)
- Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital (IE)
- National Maternity Hospital (IE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Pediatric Research
- Published
- 2025-09-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-025-04350-0
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 3.04
Funders
- Trinity College Dublin