2016 Research in the Capitol

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation (UNI Access Only)

Keywords

Leishmaniasis--Sex factors; Testosterone;

Abstract

Every year millions of people are infected with the parasitic protozoa that cause Leishmaniasis. The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected sand fly, whereupon they are internalized by macrophages, replicate and cause disease. Leishmaniasis is challenging because the pathogen subverts macrophages, part of the immune system, to disseminate infection. Children and the immunocompromised are at greater risk. There is also a male bias, but the reasons for this trend are unclear. Our previous work showed that infection with Leishmania infantum chagasi increases the expression of androgen receptor, the receptor for Testosterone. Herein, preliminary data suggest that addition of physiological levels of Testosterone increased the parasite load of mouse macrophages infected with L. infantum chagasi. All together, these results support a model in which the parasite-driven increase in Testosterone signaling exacerbates infection and sets the basis for the increased susceptibility observed in adult males.

Start Date

29-3-2016 11:30 AM

End Date

29-3-2016 1:30 PM

Event Host

University Honors Programs, Iowa Regent Universities

Faculty Advisor

Nilda Rodriquez

Department

Department of Biology

Comments

Location: Iowa State House, Rotunda, Des Moines, Iowa

File Format

application/pdf

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Mar 29th, 11:30 AM Mar 29th, 1:30 PM

Testosterone and Male Susceptibility in Leishmania infantum chagasi Infection

Every year millions of people are infected with the parasitic protozoa that cause Leishmaniasis. The parasite is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected sand fly, whereupon they are internalized by macrophages, replicate and cause disease. Leishmaniasis is challenging because the pathogen subverts macrophages, part of the immune system, to disseminate infection. Children and the immunocompromised are at greater risk. There is also a male bias, but the reasons for this trend are unclear. Our previous work showed that infection with Leishmania infantum chagasi increases the expression of androgen receptor, the receptor for Testosterone. Herein, preliminary data suggest that addition of physiological levels of Testosterone increased the parasite load of mouse macrophages infected with L. infantum chagasi. All together, these results support a model in which the parasite-driven increase in Testosterone signaling exacerbates infection and sets the basis for the increased susceptibility observed in adult males.