Males are more susceptible to many parasite infections than females. The goal of this research proposal is to determine whether males are more susceptible to viruses, specifically hantaviruses, because androgens suppress immune function or because males engage in more androgen- dependent behaviors (e.g., aggression) that influence susceptibility to hantavirus. These studies are based on field observations of many species that report a high proportion of males being infected with hantavirus. The goal of this proposal will be met by examining: the role of sex steroid hormones in sex differences in immune responses to hantavirus infection; 2) how androgen metabolites influence the course of hantavirus infection; 3) when during ontogeny hormones influence adult susceptibility to infection; 4) whether aggressive males are more susceptible to hantavirus infection than less aggressive males. These studies represent a thorough examination of potential mechanisms that underlie population variation in hantavirus infection and serve to expand our knowledge of disease processes in general and, specifically, factors that affect susceptibility to hantavirus.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32AI010324-02
Application #
6362258
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-EVR (02))
Program Officer
Meegan, James M
Project Start
2001-02-16
Project End
Budget Start
2001-02-16
Budget End
2002-02-15
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$40,196
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
045911138
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Klein, Sabra L; Cernetich, Amy; Hilmer, Sara et al. (2004) Differential expression of immunoregulatory genes in male and female Norway rats following infection with Seoul virus. J Med Virol 74:180-90
Hinson, Ella R; Shone, Scott M; Zink, M Christine et al. (2004) Wounding: the primary mode of Seoul virus transmission among male Norway rats. Am J Trop Med Hyg 70:310-7
Wisniewski, Amy B; Klein, Sabra L; Lakshmanan, Yegappen et al. (2003) Exposure to genistein during gestation and lactation demasculinizes the reproductive system in rats. J Urol 169:1582-6