DefinePK

Abstract

Background:  Many autoimmune diseases have a higher prevalence in females than males but there is no clear explanation for this phenomenon. Naturally occurring CD4 + CD25 + FOXP3 +  Treg cells carry out a vital role in immune tolerance.  We postulate that androgen may influence Treg cells differentiation and function. Methods:  Eight to twelve weeks old wild-type  (WT) and androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) male mice (C57BL/6) were utilized. Treg cells in diverse lymphoid organs were separated with an easySep selection kit and sorted with FACSAria. Treg cells were phenotypically and functionally characterized by flow cytometry analysis (FACS) and an  in vitro  immune suppressive assay.  Results:  Significantly Lower prevalence of thymic and peripheral Treg cells were noted in ARKO mice compared to the WT mice. Sorted ARKO Treg cells were functionally less suppressive than their counterparts in WT mice. Conclusion:  Our data suggest that the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway may be implicated in Treg cell expansion and function. To our knowledge, this study is the first to look into how AR knockout affects Treg cells. Therefore, it might flashlight the mechanisms of inflammatory and autoimmune disease. Keywords:  Androgen receptor; ARKO mice; Immunity; Immunosuppression; Treg cells