[Effects of estrogen treatment on the antiviral properties of murine Kupffer cells].

Adult female mice were administered 17 beta-oestradiol at pharmacological dosages by subcutaneous injections. Histopathological examination revealed an increase in cells of the mononuclear lineage infiltrating the sinusoids of the liver. In vitro culture of Kupffer cells demonstrated that the treatment did not alter their antiviral properties but did rather induce an activation of their non-specific immune properties. This activation might be beneficial or deleterious for the infected host and must be discussed in each particular pathological process.