Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats
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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-06-01
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| Series: | Vaccines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/3/345 |
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| author | Carla Morales-Ferré Ignasi Azagra-Boronat Malén Massot-Cladera Àngels Franch Margarida Castell María José Rodríguez-Lagunas Francisco J. Pérez-Cano |
| author_facet | Carla Morales-Ferré Ignasi Azagra-Boronat Malén Massot-Cladera Àngels Franch Margarida Castell María José Rodríguez-Lagunas Francisco J. Pérez-Cano |
| author_sort | Carla Morales-Ferré |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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 (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Regarding the adaptative immunity, the RV shaped the immune response to lower IgG1 levels and an increased Th1/Th2-associated Ab response (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Although females had lower IgG2a levels than males (<i>p</i> < 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:49:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-42f1b7f8308a44439fe48546c6b6f442 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-393X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:49:15Z |
| publishDate | 2020-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vaccines |
| spelling | doaj.art-42f1b7f8308a44439fe48546c6b6f4422023-11-20T05:17:24ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2020-06-018334510.3390/vaccines8030345Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling RatsCarla Morales-Ferré0Ignasi Azagra-Boronat1Malén Massot-Cladera2Àngels Franch3Margarida Castell4María José Rodríguez-Lagunas5Francisco J. Pérez-Cano6Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, SpainPhysiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, SpainPhysiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, SpainPhysiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, SpainPhysiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, SpainPhysiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, SpainPhysiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, SpainRotaviruses (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 (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Regarding the adaptative immunity, the RV shaped the immune response to lower IgG1 levels and an increased Th1/Th2-associated Ab response (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Although females had lower IgG2a levels than males (<i>p</i> < 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/3/345rotavirusdimorphismimmunitydiarrhea |
| spellingShingle | Carla Morales-Ferré Ignasi Azagra-Boronat Malén Massot-Cladera Àngels Franch Margarida Castell María José Rodríguez-Lagunas Francisco J. Pérez-Cano Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats Vaccines rotavirus dimorphism immunity diarrhea |
| title | Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats |
| title_full | Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats |
| title_fullStr | Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats |
| title_short | Sexual Dimorphism Has Low Impact on the Response against Rotavirus Infection in Suckling Rats |
| title_sort | sexual dimorphism has low impact on the response against rotavirus infection in suckling rats |
| topic | rotavirus dimorphism immunity diarrhea |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/8/3/345 |
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