Figure 1.

β-glucan induced trained immunity is more resistant to sepsis in female than male mice. (A) In vivo model of trained immunity (TI) by two intraperitoneal (i.p.) β-glucan injections and secondary i.p. E.coli challenge (n = 5/group). (B) Histological analysis of the lung was visualized by H&E staining. The lung was microscopically analyzed and histologically scored by a pathologist. (C) Kidney homogenates after dilution were plated on LB agar plates at 37°C for 24 h to count CFUs. (D) Kidney E.coli burden at indicated time points was shown in the mouse model as (A). (E,F) Levels of serum ALT and AST were detected in female and male mice treated with E. coli or TI + E. coli groups. (G) Serum lactate concentration was detected by ELISA in female and male mice treated with E. coli or TI + E. coli groups. (H) Serum concentration of estradiol (E₂) was analyzed by ELISA in E. coli and TI + E. coli groups. (I,J) Serum IL-6 and TNFα were measured by ELISA to characterize the extent of the immune response. Each panel is representative of at least three independent biological replicates. In (D–J), single dots correspond to individual mice. ^#p < 0.05, ^##p < 0.01, and ^###p < 0.001, paired Student's t-test comparing E. coli group, TI + E. coli group and control group in same gender. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, and ***p < 0.001, paired Student's t-test comparing in the same experimental group. ∧ p < 0.05, ∧∧p < 0.01, and ∧∧∧p < 0.001, paired Student's t-test comparing E. coli group and TI + E. coli group in same gender.