Host biological sex directs immune control of the Plasmodium parasite liver stage in mice
These findings indicate that biological sex- and androgen-mediated differences in baseline hepatic innate immune cell composition critically shape immune responses and parasite survival during <i>Plasmodium</i> liver stage infection. Together, our findings highlight the role of biological sex in shaping immune responses during <i>Plasmodium</i> parasite infection in the liver and underscore the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in malaria research.
Authors
- Kenneth Boey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6329-2333)
- Ethan Conrad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2876-9845)
- Nana Minkah (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5044-7359)
- Nilasha Sen
- Melanie J. Shears (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8226-4354)
- Murphy Sd
- Anya C. Kalata
- Caroline J. Duncombe (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4356-6317)
- Alexis Kaushansky (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5721-258X)
- Rebecca Blyn
- Alen S Poehlman
- Elizabeth K. K. Glennon
- GW McElfresh
- Aaron Ayenew
Institutions
- Oregon National Primate Research Center (US)
- Seattle Children's Hospital (US)
- Infectious Disease Research Institute (US)
- Oregon Health & Science University (US)
- University of Washington (US)
- Biomedical Research Foundation (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Immunology
- Published
- 2026-03-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1734587
- Primary Topic
- Malaria Research and Control
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00