Sex-Associated Expression of Co-Stimulatory Molecules CD80, CD86, and Accessory Molecules, PDL-1, PDL-2 and MHC-II, in F480+ Macrophages during Murine Cysticercosis
Macrophages are critically involved in the interaction betweenT. crassicepsand the murine host immune system. Also, a strong gender-associated susceptibility to murine cysticercosis has been reported. Here, we examined the sex-associated expression of molecules MHC-II, CD80, CD86, PD-L1, and PD-L2 on peritoneal F4/80himacrophages of BALB/c mice infected withTaenia crassiceps. Peritoneal macrophages from both sexes of mice were exposed toT. crassicepstotal extract (TcEx). BALB/c Females mice recruit higher number of macrophages to the peritoneum. Macrophages from infected animals show increased expression of PDL2 and CD80 that was dependent from the sex of the host. These findings suggest that macrophage recruitment at early time points duringT. crassicepsinfection is a possible mechanism that underlies the differential sex-associated susceptibility displayed by the mouse gender.