Higher sensitivity of male CD4+ T cells to suppressive effects of CD8+ T cells on IL-5 production compared to female CD4+ T cells.

Background: Asthma prevalence and severity are higher in females than in males after puberty. The underlying mechanisms of this gender difference are not fully understood. More severe airway inflammation in female mice has been reported to be associated with higher levels of T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines in asthma models.