Testosterone suppresses anti-DNA antibody production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. To study the in vitro effect of testosterone on anti-DNA antibody production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in order to elucidate its regulatory role in SLE. Methods, PBMC from SLE patients were cultured with testosterone. IgG anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody, total IgG, and cytokine activity in the supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results, Testosterone suppressed both IgG anti-dsDNA antibody and total IgG production in PBMC from SLE patients, Antibody production in B cells was also suppressed by testosterone, although the magnitude of its effect on B cells was lower than that on PBMC, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) partially restored the testosterone-induced decrease in antibody levels in PBMC, Testosterone reduced IL-6 production in monocytes, Conclusion. These results suggest that testosterone may directly suppress anti-DNA antibody production in PBMC from SLE patients by inhibiting B cell hyperactivity and, indirectly, by down-regulating IL-6 production in monocytes, These results support the therapeutic effects of testosterone on SLE.