Testosterone response of hepatic gene expression in female mice having acquired testosterone-unresponsive immunity to Plasmodium chabaudi malaria

Blood-stage malaria of Plasmodium chabaudi is characterized by its responsiveness to testosterone (T): T suppresses development of protective immunity, whereas once acquired immunity is T-unresponsive. Here, we have analyzed the liver, a T target and lymphoid organ with anti-malaria activity, for its T-responsiveness of gene expression in immune mice. Using Affymetrix microarray technology, in combination with quantitative RT-PCR, we have identified (i) T-unresponsive expression of newly acquired mRNAs encoding diverse sequences of IgG- and IgM-antibodies, (ii) 24 genes whose expression has become T-unresponsive including those encoding the TH2 response promoting EHMT2 and the erythrocyte membrane protein band 7.2 STOM, (iii) T-unresponsive expression of mRNAs for the cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, and IFNγ, as well as iNOS, which are even not inducible by infection, and (iv) 35 genes retaining their T-responsiveness, which include those encoding the infection-inducible acute phase proteins SAA1, SAA2, and ORM2 as well as those of liver metabolism which encode the T-downregulated female-prevalent enzymes CYP2B9, CYP2B13, CYP3A41, CYP7A1, and SULT2A2 and the T-upregulated male-prevalent enzymes CYP2D9, CYP7B1, UGT2B1, HSD3B2, HSD3B5, respectively. The mRNA of the latter T-metabolizing enzyme is even 5-fold increased by T, suggesting a decrease in the effective T concentrations in the liver of immune mice. Collectively, our data suggest that the liver, which has acquired a selective T-unresponsiveness of gene expression, contributes to the acquired T-unresponsive, antibody-mediated protective immunity to blood-stage malaria of P. chabaudi.

► Acquired immunity to malaria in female mice has become unresponsive to testosterone (T).
► This coincides with changes in T-responsiveness of gene expression in the liver.
► The liver expresses newly acquired mRNAs encoding antibodies.
► 35 genes retain their T responsiveness among which are gender-specific genes.
► The liver contributes to acquired T-unresponsive antibody-mediated protective immunity.