Sex-Associated Differential mRNA Expression of Cytokines and Its Regulation by Sex Steroids in Different Brain Regions in a Plasmodium berghei ANKA Model of Cerebral Malaria

Figure 4

Hypothalamus (HT) expression of IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in CBA/Ca male and female mice, control (CTRL), and Plasmodium berghei ANKA-infected groups in response to manipulation (sham group) or surgery (gonadectomy). Gonadectomized (GX) or intact male and female mice were infected with P. berghei ANKA and sacrificed 9 days postinfection. The HT regions were dissected from their brains, and RNA was isolated and reverse transcribed. Complementary (cDNA) was used to PCR-amplify IL-1β, IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ relative to 18S RNA. The data are presented as the means ± SD. , , and . ANOVA and Tukey’s test were performed to compare the selected pairs of columns. The data are representative of two independent experiments using five mice in each experiment, with mice per group.