Background and Aim: Immune function differs between the sexes but the mechanism for this is not known. Sex steroid receptors have been found to be expressed on various immune cell subtypes, including “non-genomic” membrane bound receptors. The biological function of these molecules and their direct effects on immune function have not been explored. We aimed to determine the biological effects and mode of action of sex steroid receptor signalling on immune cell function.
Methods: Genomic androgen receptor (AR) signalling on T cells was assessed using qRT-PCR. Readout genes were known to be AR-dependent in other cell types and expressed in T cells. Effector function of flu-specific T cells was measured by intracellular staining for interferon gamma (IFNγ) following antigen presentation in the context of AR activation or blockade. Non-genomic signalling was screened using a calcium flux assay to indicate activation of unconventional pathways in response to AR activation or blockade.
Results: Expression of AR regulated genes was induced by DHT in LnCap however, not in T cells. Results from Calcium assay indicates both early and delayed flux of Calcium ion in T cells after DHT treatment. These results indicate activation of non-genomic AR signalling pathways in T cells.
Conclusion: These results indicate that the AR signalling pathway in T cells may be at least in part non-genomic but these results need further confirmation. Comparable studies for estrogen receptor signalling are ongoing.