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Sánchez-Boluarte SS, Aguirre-Quispe W, De La Cruz Ramirez W, Tacunan-Cuellar J, Vergaray-Loayza A, Quintana-Garcia L, Alfaro-Olivera M, Nuñez Del Prado Murillo L, Caparó-Zamalloa C. Exploring seizure characteristics in individuals with autoimmune encephalitis: A comprehensive retrospective study in a low-middle-income country setting. Epilepsy Res 2024; 206:107439. [PMID: 39197377 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2024.107439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Seizures and epilepsy are well-documented in association with autoimmune encephalitis. Despite this, a notable gap exists in understanding the persistence of seizures beyond the acute phase, particularly within the context of low- and low-middle-income settings. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the frequency, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and potential factors associated with the occurrence and persistence of seizures in autoimmune encephalitis patients. METHODS This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with possible, probable or confirmed autoimmune encephalitis according to the Graus criteria at the "Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas" in Lima, Peru, were included between January 2018 and April 2023. Demographic, clinical, diagnosis, and management information was recorded. A bivariate analysis was performed considering the persistence of seizures at one-year follow-up and a second analysis was performed to compare the groups according to the anti N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody results. RESULTS Sixty patients predominantly male (40; 66.7 %) were included. Only 36 (60 %) patients were tested for antibodies, 16 (44.4 %) were NMDAR positive. 46 (76.7 %) patients had at least one seizure and 13 (37.1 %) had seizures after 1 year of follow-up. Patients with seizure relapse were younger, 20 (IQR: 18-28) versus 29.5 years (IQR: 21-48), p=0.049. Four (44.4 %) patients with persistent seizures had positive NMDAR results. Similar sex distributions, no differences in seizure characteristics, and higher CSF cell count in the NMDAR-positive group were observed. Neuroimaging, EEG findings, and follow-up times were comparable between the groups. CONCLUSIONS We found a 37.1 % seizures rate after one year of follow-up, predominantly in younger patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- S S Sánchez-Boluarte
- School of Medicine, Universidad Cesar Vallejo, Trujillo-Perú; Epilepsy Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima-Perú
| | - W Aguirre-Quispe
- Grupo de Investigación Neurociencias, Metabolismo, Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria (NEMECS), Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima-Perú.
| | | | - J Tacunan-Cuellar
- Education and Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima-Perú
| | | | | | - M Alfaro-Olivera
- Education and Research Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima-Perú
| | | | - C Caparó-Zamalloa
- Basic Research Center in Dementia and Central Nervous System Demyelinating Diseases, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Neurológicas, Lima-Perú
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Mongillo J, Zedda N, Rinaldo N, Bellini T, Manfrinato MC, Du Z, Yang R, Stenseth NC, Bramanti B. Differential pathogenicity and lethality of bubonic plague (1720-1945) by sex, age and place. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20240724. [PMID: 39045692 PMCID: PMC11267469 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 brought back to the attention of the scientific community that males are more susceptible to infectious diseases. What is clear for other infections-that sex and gender differences influence both risk of infection and mortality-is not yet fully elucidated for plague, particularly bubonic plague, although this knowledge can help find specific defences against a disease for which a vaccine is not yet available. To address this question, we analysed data on plague from hospitals in different parts of the world since the early eighteenth century, which provide demographic information on individual patients, diagnosis and course of the disease in the pre-antibiotic era. Assuming that the two sexes were equally represented, we observe a worldwide prevalence of male cases hospitalized at any age, a result which seems better explained by gender-biased (thus cultural) behaviours than biological sex-related factors. Conversely, case fatality rates differ among countries and geographic macro-areas, while globally, lethality appears slightly prevalent in young females and older adults (regardless of sex). Logistic regression models confirm that the main risk factor for bubonic plague death was the geographical location of the cases and being older than 50 years, whereas sex only showcased a slight trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Mongillo
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara44121, Italy
| | - N. Zedda
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara44121, Italy
| | - N. Rinaldo
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara44121, Italy
| | - T. Bellini
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara44121, Italy
- University Strategic Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara44121, Italy
| | - M. C. Manfrinato
- Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara44121, Italy
| | - Z. Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People‘s Republic of China
| | - R. Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, People‘s Republic of China
| | - N. C. Stenseth
- Center for Pandemics and One Health Research, Sustainable Health Unit (SUSTAINIT), Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo0316, Norway
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo0316, Norway
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing100084, People‘s Republic of China
| | - B. Bramanti
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara44121, Italy
- University Strategic Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara44121, Italy
- Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis, Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo0316, Norway
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Gal-Oz ST, Baysoy A, Vijaykumar B, Mostafavi S, Benoist C, Shay T. Microheterogeneity in the Kinetics and Sex-Specific Response to Type I IFN. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 213:96-104. [PMID: 38775402 PMCID: PMC11328978 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/19/2024]
Abstract
The response to type I IFNs involves the rapid induction of prototypical IFN signature genes (ISGs). It is not known whether the tightly controlled ISG expression observed at the cell population level correctly represents the coherent responses of individual cells or whether it masks some heterogeneity in gene modules and/or responding cells. We performed a time-resolved single-cell analysis of the first 3 h after in vivo IFN stimulation in macrophages and CD4+ T and B lymphocytes from mice. All ISGs were generally induced in concert, with no clear cluster of faster- or slower-responding ISGs. Response kinetics differed between cell types: mostly homogeneous for macrophages, but with far more kinetic diversity among B and T lymphocytes, which included a distinct subset of nonresponsive cells. Velocity analysis confirmed the differences between macrophages in which the response progressed throughout the full 3 h, versus B and T lymphocytes in which it was rapidly curtailed by negative feedback and revealed differences in transcription rates between the lineages. In all cell types, female cells responded faster than their male counterparts. The ISG response thus seems to proceed as a homogeneous gene block, but with kinetics that vary between immune cell types and with sex differences that might underlie differential outcomes of viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani T Gal-Oz
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Alev Baysoy
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Brinda Vijaykumar
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Christophe Benoist
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Tal Shay
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Petersen SK, Hansen CR, Ellebaek E, Schmidt H, Haslund CA, Ruhlmann CH, Bastholt L. Does patient sex affect the treatment outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors? A Danish, observational melanoma study. Eur J Cancer 2024; 205:114099. [PMID: 38754294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2024.114099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
AIM The objective of this study was to evaluate whether patient biological sex influences treatment outcomes in patients with metastatic melanoma (MM) undergoing first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. METHODS The Danish Metastatic Melanoma Database (DAMMED) was employed to identify patients who underwent first-line ICI therapy for MM in Denmark from 2013 to 2021. Excluding adjuvant treatment, uveal and mucosal histological subtypes, the study conducted univariable and multivariable analyses to evaluate the influence of patient sex in survival analyses. Further, landmark survival of this real-world national cohort was described for progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and melanoma-specific survival (MSS). RESULTS The analysis encompassed a cohort of 1378 patients with MM. Compared to male sex, females had significantly improved OS (p = 0.003) when tested in univariable testing. Multivariable analyses, controlling for age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase level, BRAF status, M-stage, and number of metastatic sites revealed significant favourable outcomes associated with female sex irrespective of the considered survival metrics (pPFS = 0.014, pOS = 0.002, and pMSS = 0.03). The observed five-year OS rates of the entire cohort were 47% and 38%, while melanoma-specific survival were 50% and 45% for female and male, respectively. CONCLUSION In this nationwide cohort of patients with MM undergoing first-line ICI treatment females exhibited superior treatment outcomes compared to males. Sex was identified as an independent predictive variable for treatment outcomes, irrespective of the chosen outcome measures considered. Our analyses are not able to conclude whether the differences in outcome is attributable to differences in biology or to treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soeren Kjaer Petersen
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern, Denmark.
| | - Christian Rønn Hansen
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern, Denmark; Laboratory of Radiation Physics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Eva Ellebaek
- National Centre for Cancer Immune Therapy, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark
| | - Henrik Schmidt
- Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Christina H Ruhlmann
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern, Denmark
| | - Lars Bastholt
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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Gedefie A, Debash H, Asmamaw S, Getaneh FB, Alemayehu E, Molla A, Kassaw AB, Kebede B. Epidemiology of an overlapping and parallel infection of Sexually Transmitted Infections among pregnant women in North-east Ethiopia: Its implication for prevention of mother to child transmission. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300149. [PMID: 38768132 PMCID: PMC11104588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of parallel and overlapping infections of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), particularly HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are disproportionately higher among pregnant women globally, leading to unwanted consequences. These infections pose significant public health challenges as they can be transmitted vertically to the offspring. This study aimed to determine the sero-epidemiological patterns and predictors of STIs (HIV, syphilis, HBV, and HCV) among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at ten health facilities in North-eastern Ethiopia. METHODS An institution-based multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted from May to November 2022 among 422 pregnant women selected using simple random sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics and predictor variables of STIs through face-to-face interviews. Venous blood was collected and it was tested for anti-HIV, HBsAg, anti-HCV, and anti-Treponemal antibodies using immunochromatographic test kits. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors of STIs. Variables with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and a p-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS The overall prevalence of STIs was 23.9% (95% CI = 20.08-28.25). The prevalence of parallel infections of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis were 6.4%, 9%, 1.7%, and 6.9%, respectively. The overlapping infections for HIV-HBV was 4% but HIV-HCV overlapping infection wasn't found. Increased age, tattooing, multiple sexual partners, exposure to unsafe sex, and RH status were independent factors of HBV. Likewise, increased age, rural residence, illiteracy, and tattooing were independently associated with HCV. Moreover, rural residence and a history of tattooing were independent predictors for the acquisition of HIV, whereas multiple sexual partners and RH status were found to be significant predictors of syphilis infection among pregnant women. CONCLUSION The magnitude of overlapping and parallel STD infections is still continued to be a problem among pregnant women. Moreover, there were overlapping infections of HBV-HIV. Therefore, continuous screening of pregnant women for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and C infections should be performed, and special attention should be given to pregnant women who have co-infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemu Gedefie
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Habtu Debash
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Shambel Asmamaw
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Tropical College of Medicine, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Fekadesilassie Belege Getaneh
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Ermiyas Alemayehu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Asressie Molla
- Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Altaseb Beyene Kassaw
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Berhanu Kebede
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Samara University, Samara, Ethiopia
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Yang NY, Hsieh AYY, Chen Z, Campbell AR, Gadawska I, Kakkar F, Sauve L, Bitnun A, Brophy J, Murray MCM, Pick N, Krajden M, Côté HCF. Chronic and Latent Viral Infections and Leukocyte Telomere Length across the Lifespan of Female and Male Individuals Living with or without HIV. Viruses 2024; 16:755. [PMID: 38793637 PMCID: PMC11125719 DOI: 10.3390/v16050755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic/latent viral infections may accelerate immunological aging, particularly among people living with HIV (PLWH). We characterized chronic/latent virus infections across their lifespan and investigated their associations with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). METHODS Participants enrolled in the CARMA cohort study were randomly selected to include n = 15 for each decade of age between 0 and >60 y, for each sex, and each HIV status. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), and HSV-2 infection were determined serologically; HIV, hepatitis C (HCV), and hepatitis B (HBV) were self-reported. LTLs were measured using monochrome multiplex qPCR. Associations between the number of viruses, LTL, and sociodemographic factors were assessed using ordinal logistic and linear regression modeling. RESULTS The study included 187 PLWH (105 female/82 male) and 190 HIV-negative participants (105 female/84 male), ranging in age from 0.7 to 76.1 years. Living with HIV, being older, and being female were associated with harbouring a greater number of chronic/latent non-HIV viruses. Having more infections was in turn bivariately associated with a shorter LTL. In multivariable analyses, older age, living with HIV, and the female sex remained independently associated with having more infections, while having 3-4 viruses (vs. 0-2) was associated with a shorter LTL. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that persistent viral infections are more prevalent in PLWH and females, and that these may contribute to immunological aging. Whether this is associated with comorbidities later in life remains an important question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Yi Yang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada; (N.Y.Y.); (A.Y.Y.H.); (M.K.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Anthony Y. Y. Hsieh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada; (N.Y.Y.); (A.Y.Y.H.); (M.K.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1, Canada
| | - Amber R. Campbell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada; (N.Y.Y.); (A.Y.Y.H.); (M.K.)
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 2N9, Canada; (L.S.); (M.C.M.M.)
- Oak Tree Clinic, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0C9, Canada
| | - Izabella Gadawska
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada; (N.Y.Y.); (A.Y.Y.H.); (M.K.)
| | - Fatima Kakkar
- Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada;
| | - Laura Sauve
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 2N9, Canada; (L.S.); (M.C.M.M.)
- Oak Tree Clinic, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0C9, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4, Canada
| | - Ari Bitnun
- Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada;
| | - Jason Brophy
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada;
| | - Melanie C. M. Murray
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 2N9, Canada; (L.S.); (M.C.M.M.)
- Oak Tree Clinic, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0C9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Neora Pick
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 2N9, Canada; (L.S.); (M.C.M.M.)
- Oak Tree Clinic, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V5Z 0C9, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Mel Krajden
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada; (N.Y.Y.); (A.Y.Y.H.); (M.K.)
- British Columbia Center for Disease Control, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4R4, Canada
| | - Hélène C. F. Côté
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z7, Canada; (N.Y.Y.); (A.Y.Y.H.); (M.K.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Women’s Health Research Institute, British Columbia Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Vancouver, BC V6H 2N9, Canada; (L.S.); (M.C.M.M.)
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Magyar CTJ, Gretener CP, Baldi P, Storni F, Kim-Fuchs C, Candinas D, Berzigotti A, Knecht M, Beldi G, Hirzel C, Sidler D, Reineke D, Banz V. Recipient donor sex combinations in solid organ transplantation and impact on clinical outcome: A scoping review. Clin Transplant 2024; 38:e15312. [PMID: 38678586 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.15312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Solid organ transplantation (SOT) is a lifesaving treatment for end-stage organ failure. Although many factors affect the success of organ transplantation, recipient and donor sex are important biological factors influencing transplant outcome. However, the impact of the four possible recipient and donor sex combinations (RDSC) on transplant outcome remains largely unclear. METHODS A scoping review was carried out focusing on studies examining the association between RDSC and outcomes (mortality, graft rejection, and infection) after heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplantation. All studies up to February 2023 were included. RESULTS Multiple studies published between 1998 and 2022 show that RDSC is an important factor affecting the outcome after organ transplantation. Male recipients of SOT have a higher risk of mortality and graft failure than female recipients. Differences regarding the causes of death are observed. Female recipients on the other hand are more susceptible to infections after SOT. CONCLUSION Differences in underlying illnesses as well as age, immunosuppressive therapy and underlying biological mechanisms among male and female SOT recipients affect the post-transplant outcome. However, the precise mechanisms influencing the interaction between RDSC and post-transplant outcome remain largely unclear. A better understanding of how to identify and modulate these factors may improve outcome, which is particularly important in light of the worldwide organ shortage. An analysis for differences of etiology and causes of graft loss or mortality, respectively, is warranted across the RDSC groups. PRACTITIONER POINTS Recipient and donor sex combinations affect outcome after solid organ transplantation. While female recipients are more susceptible to infections after solid organ transplantation, they have higher overall survival following SOT, with causes of death differing from male recipients. Sex-differences should be taken into account in the post-transplant management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Tibor Josef Magyar
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Charlene Pierrine Gretener
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Baldi
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Federico Storni
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Corina Kim-Fuchs
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Candinas
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annalisa Berzigotti
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Knecht
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Guido Beldi
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Cédric Hirzel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Sidler
- Department for Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Insel Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - David Reineke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vanessa Banz
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Tadount F, Kiely M, Assi A, Rafferty E, Sadarangani M, MacDonald SE, Quach C. Sex Differences in the Immunogenicity and Efficacy of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Open Forum Infect Dis 2024; 11:ofae222. [PMID: 38737434 PMCID: PMC11088355 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sex impacts individuals' response to vaccination. However, most vaccine studies do not report these differences disaggregated by sex. The aim of this study was to assess sex differences in the immunogenicity and efficacy of influenza vaccine. Methods We performed a meta-analysis using phase 3 randomized controlled trial data conducted between 2010 and 2018. Using hemagglutination inhibition antibody titers for each strain, differences in geometric mean ratios (GMRs) were calculated by sex. Risk ratios (RRs) comparing seroconversion proportions were pooled for females and males using random-effects models. Vaccine efficacy (VE) was assessed. Data were analyzed by age group (18-64 vs ≥65 years). Results A total of 33 092 healthy adults from 19 studies were included for immunogenicity analysis, and 6740 from 1 study for VE. Whereas no sex differences in immunogenicity were found in adults <65 years old, older females had a significantly greater chance to seroconvert compared to older males for all strains: RRH1N1 = 1.17 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.12-1.23]; RRH3N2 = 1.09 [95% CI, 1.05-1.14]; RRVictoria = 1.23 [95% CI, 1.14-1.31]; RRYamagata = 1.22 [95% CI, 1.14-1.30]. GMRs were also higher in older females for all strains compared to older males. VE in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza was higher in older females compared to older males with VEs of 27.32% (95% CI, 1.15%-46.56%) and 6.06% (95% CI, -37.68% to 35.90%), respectively. Conclusions Our results suggest a higher immunogenicity and VE in females compared to males in older adults. These differences in immunogenicity and VE support the disaggregation of vaccine data by sex in clinical trials and observational studies. Clinical Trials Registration CRD42018112260.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fazia Tadount
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Health and Research Center, Montreal, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marilou Kiely
- Département de Microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Ali Assi
- Faculty of Nursing and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Ellen Rafferty
- Faculty of Nursing and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Manish Sadarangani
- Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Shannon E MacDonald
- Faculty of Nursing and School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Caroline Quach
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Health and Research Center, Montreal, Canada
- Département de Microbiologie, infectiologie et immunologie, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Département de Pédiaterie, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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Jansen EB, Ostadgavahi AT, Hewins B, Buchanan R, Thivierge BM, Sganzerla Martinez G, Goncin U, Francis ME, Swan CL, Scruten E, Bell J, Darbellay J, Facciuolo A, Falzarano D, Gerdts V, Fenton ME, Hedlin P, Kelvin DJ, Kelvin AA. PASC (Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19) is associated with decreased neutralizing antibody titers in both biological sexes and increased ANG-2 and GM-CSF in females. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9854. [PMID: 38684819 PMCID: PMC11058778 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60089-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or the continuation of COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) symptoms past 12 weeks may affect as many as 30% of people recovering from a SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2) infection. The mechanisms regulating the development of PASC are currently not known; however, hypotheses include virus reservoirs, pre-existing conditions, microblood clots, immune dysregulation, as well as poor antibody responses. Importantly, virus neutralizing antibodies are essential for COVID-19 recovery and protection from reinfection but there is currently limited information on these immune regulators and associated cytokines in PASC patients. Understanding the key drivers of general and specific symptoms associated with Long COVID and the presence of virus neutralizing antibodies in PASC will aid in the development of therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines which currently do not exist. We designed a cross-sectional study to investigate systemic antibody and cytokine responses during COVID-19 recovery and PASC. In total, 195 participants were recruited in one of four groups: (1) Those who never had COVID-19 (No COVID); (2) Those in acute COVID-19 recovery (Acute Recovery) (4-12 weeks post infection); (3) Those who recovered from COVID-19 (Recovered) (+ 12 weeks from infection); and (4) those who had PASC (PASC) (+ 12 weeks from infection). Participants completed a questionnaire on health history, sex, gender, demographics, experiences with COVID-19 acute and COVID-19 recovery/continuing symptoms. Serum samples collected were evaluated for antibody binding to viral proteins, virus neutralizing antibody titers, and serum cytokine levels using Ella SimplePlex Immunoassay™ panels. We found participants with PASC reported more pre-existing conditions (e.g. such as hypertension, asthma, and obesity), and PASC symptoms (e.g. fatigue, brain fog, headaches, and shortness of breath) following COVID-19 than COVID-19 Recovered individuals. Importantly, we found PASC individuals to have significantly decreased levels of neutralizing antibodies toward both SARS-CoV-2 and the Omicron BA.1 variant. Sex analysis indicated that female PASC study participants had sustained antibody levels as well as levels of the inflammatory cytokines GM-CSF and ANG-2 over time following COVID-19. Our study reports people experiencing PASC had lower levels of virus neutralizing antibodies; however, the results are limited by the collection time post-COVID-19 and post-vaccination. Moreover, we found females experiencing PASC had sustained levels of GM-CSF and ANG-2. With lower levels of virus neutralizing antibodies, this data suggests that PASC individuals not only have had a suboptimal antibody response during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection but may also have increased susceptibility to subsequent infections which may exacerbate or prolong current PASC illnesses. We also provide evidence suggesting GM-CSF and ANG-2 to play a role in the sex-bias of PASC. Taken together, our findings maybe important for understanding immune molecular drivers of PASC and PASC subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan B Jansen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | | | - Benjamin Hewins
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Rachelle Buchanan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Brittany M Thivierge
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | | | - Una Goncin
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Magen E Francis
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Cynthia L Swan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Erin Scruten
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Jack Bell
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Joseph Darbellay
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Antonio Facciuolo
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Darryl Falzarano
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Mark E Fenton
- Division of Respirology, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Peter Hedlin
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - David J Kelvin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Alyson A Kelvin
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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10
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Pilling D, Consalvo KM, Kirolos SA, Gomer RH. Differences between human male and female neutrophils in mRNA, translation efficiency, protein, and phosphoprotein profiles. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4284171. [PMID: 38746380 PMCID: PMC11092807 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4284171/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Human males and females show differences in the incidence of neutrophil-associated diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and reactive arthritis, and differences in neutrophil physiological responses such as a faster response to the chemorepellent SLIGKV. Little is known about the basis of sex-based differences in human neutrophils. Methods Starting with human neutrophils from healthy donors, we used RNA-seq to examine total mRNA profiles, mRNAs not associated with ribosomes and thus not being translated, mRNAs in monosomes, and mRNAs in polysomes and thus heavily translated. We used mass spectrometry systems to identify proteins and phosphoproteins. Results There were sex-based differences in the translation of 24 mRNAs. There were 132 proteins with higher levels in male neutrophils; these tended to be associated with RNA regulation, ribosome, and phosphoinositide signaling pathways, whereas 30 proteins with higher levels in female neutrophils were associated with metabolic processes, proteosomes, and phosphatase regulatory proteins. Male neutrophils had increased phosphorylation of 32 proteins. After exposure to SLIGKV, male neutrophils showed a faster response in terms of protein phosphorylation compared to female neutrophils. Conclusions Male neutrophils have higher levels of proteins and higher phosphorylation of proteins associated with RNA processing and signaling pathways, while female neutrophils have higher levels of proteins associated with metabolism and proteolytic pathways. This suggests that male neutrophils might be more ready to adapt to a new environment, and female neutrophils might be more effective at responding to pathogens. This may contribute to the observed sex-based differences in neutrophil behavior and neutrophil-associated disease incidence and severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell Pilling
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3474 USA
| | - Kristen M Consalvo
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3474 USA
| | - Sara A Kirolos
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3474 USA
| | - Richard H Gomer
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3474 USA
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11
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Marks J, Sridhar A, Ai A, Kiel L, Kaufman R, Abioye O, Mantz C, Florez N. Precision Immuno-Oncology in NSCLC through Gender Equity Lenses. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1413. [PMID: 38611091 PMCID: PMC11010825 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Precision immuno-oncology involves the development of personalized cancer treatments that are influenced by the unique nature of an individual's DNA, immune cells, and their tumor's molecular characterization. Biological sex influences immunity; females typically mount stronger innate and adaptive immune responses than males. Though more research is warranted, we continue to observe an enhanced benefit for females with lung cancer when treated with combination chemoimmunotherapy in contrast to the preferred approach of utilizing immunotherapy alone in men. Despite the observed sex differences in response to treatments, women remain underrepresented in oncology clinical trials, largely as a result of gender-biased misconceptions. Such exclusion has resulted in the development of less efficacious treatment guidelines and clinical recommendations and has created a knowledge gap in regard to immunotherapy-related survivorship issues such as fertility. To develop a more precise approach to care and overcome the exclusion of women from clinical trials, flexible trial schedules, multilingual communication strategies, financial, and transportation assistance for participants should be adopted. The impact of intersectionality and other determinants of health that affect the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in women must also be considered in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique impact of immunotherapy in all women with lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Marks
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
| | | | - Angela Ai
- Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
| | - Lauren Kiel
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.K.); (R.K.); (O.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Rebekah Kaufman
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.K.); (R.K.); (O.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Oyepeju Abioye
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.K.); (R.K.); (O.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Courtney Mantz
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.K.); (R.K.); (O.A.); (C.M.)
| | - Narjust Florez
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (L.K.); (R.K.); (O.A.); (C.M.)
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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12
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Koloski CW, Hurry G, Foley-Eby A, Adam H, Goldstein S, Zvionow P, Detmer SE, Voordouw MJ. Male C57BL/6J mice have higher presence and abundance of Borrelia burgdorferi in their ventral skin compared to female mice. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102308. [PMID: 38215632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi is a tick-borne spirochete that causes Lyme disease in humans. The host immune system controls the abundance of the spirochete in the host tissues. Recent work with immunocompetent Mus musculus mice strain C3H/HeJ found that males had a higher tissue infection prevalence and spirochete load compared to females. The purpose of this study was to determine whether host sex and acquired immunity interact to influence the prevalence and abundance of spirochetes in the tissues of the commonly used mouse strain C57BL/6. Wildtype (WT) mice and their SCID counterparts (C57BL/6) were experimentally infected with B. burgdorferi via tick bite. Ear biopsies were sampled at weeks 4, 8, and 12 post-infection (PI) and five tissues (left ear, ventral skin, heart, tibiotarsal joint of left hind leg, and liver) were collected at necropsy (16 weeks PI). The mean spirochete load in the tissues of the SCID mice was 260.4x higher compared to the WT mice. In WT mice, the infection prevalence in the ventral skin was significantly higher in males (40.0 %) compared to females (0.0 %), and the spirochete load in the rear tibiotarsal joint was significantly higher (4.3x) in males compared to females. In SCID mice, the spirochete load in the ventral skin was 200.0x higher in males compared to females, but there were no significant sex-specific difference in spirochete load in the other tissues (left ear, heart, tibiotarsal joint, or liver). Thus, the absence of acquired immunity greatly amplified the spirochete load in the ventral skin of male mice. It is important to note that the observed sex-specific differences in laboratory mice cannot be extrapolated to humans. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying the male bias in the abundance of B. burgdorferi in the mouse skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cody W Koloski
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Georgia Hurry
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Alexandra Foley-Eby
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Hesham Adam
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Savannah Goldstein
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Pini Zvionow
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Susan E Detmer
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | - Maarten J Voordouw
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
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13
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Salaiza-Suazo N, Porcel-Aranibar R, Cañeda-Guzmán IC, Ruiz-Remigio A, Zamora-Chimal J, Delgado-Domínguez J, Cervantes-Sarabia R, Carrada-Figueroa G, Sánchez-Barragán B, Leal-Ascencio VJ, Pérez-Torres A, Rodríguez-Martínez HA, Becker I. Eosinophils of patients with localized and diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis: Differential response to Leishmania mexicana, with insights into mechanisms of damage inflicted upon the parasites by eosinophils. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0296887. [PMID: 38359037 PMCID: PMC10868813 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Eosinophils are mainly associated with parasitic infections and allergic manifestations. They produce many biologically active substances that contribute to the destruction of pathogens through the degranulation of microbicidal components and inflammatory tissue effects. In leishmaniasis, eosinophils have been found within inflammatory infiltrate with protective immunity against the parasite. We analyzed the responses of eosinophils from patients with localized (LCL) and diffuse (DCL) cutaneous leishmaniasis, as well as from healthy subjects, when exposed to Leishmania mexicana. All DCL patients exhibited blood eosinophilia, along with elevated eosinophil counts in non-ulcerated nodules. In contrast, only LCL patients with prolonged disease progression showed eosinophils in their blood and cutaneous ulcers. Eosinophils from DCL patients secreted significantly higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-13, compared to eosinophils from LCL patients. Additionally, DCL patients displayed higher serum levels of anti-Leishmania IgG antibodies. We also demonstrated that eosinophils from both LCL and DCL patients responded to L. mexicana promastigotes with a robust oxidative burst, which was equally intense in both patient groups and significantly higher than in healthy subjects. Coincubation of eosinophils (from donors with eosinophilia) with L. mexicana promastigotes in vitro revealed various mechanisms of parasite damage associated with different patterns of granule exocytosis: 1) localized degranulation on the parasite surface, 2) the release of cytoplasmic membrane-bound "degranulation sacs" containing granules, 3) release of eosinophil extracellular traps containing DNA and granules with major basic protein. In conclusion, eosinophils damage L. mexicana parasites through the release of granules via diverse mechanisms. However, despite DCL patients having abundant eosinophils in their blood and tissues, their apparent inability to provide protection may be linked to the release of cytokines and chemokines that promote a Th2 immune response and disease progression in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norma Salaiza-Suazo
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Roxana Porcel-Aranibar
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Isabel Cristina Cañeda-Guzmán
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Adriana Ruiz-Remigio
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jaime Zamora-Chimal
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - José Delgado-Domínguez
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Rocely Cervantes-Sarabia
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Georgina Carrada-Figueroa
- División Académica de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (UJAT), Tabasco, México
| | | | - Victor Javier Leal-Ascencio
- Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad Dr. Juan Graham, Secretaría de Salud del Estado de Tabasco, Villahermosa, Tabasco, México
| | - Armando Pérez-Torres
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Héctor A. Rodríguez-Martínez
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ingeborg Becker
- Facultad de Medicina, Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
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14
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Servadio JL, Choisy M, Thai PQ, Boni MF. Influenza vaccination allocation in tropical settings under constrained resources. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.08.24302551. [PMID: 38370625 PMCID: PMC10871372 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.08.24302551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Influenza virus seasonality, synchronicity, and vaccine supply differ substantially between temperate and tropical settings, and optimal vaccination strategy may differ on this basis. Most national vaccine recommendations focus on high-risk groups, elderly populations, and healthcare workers despite previous analyses demonstrating broad benefits to vaccinating younger high-contact age groups. Here, we parameterized an age-structured non-seasonal asynchronous epidemiological model of influenza virus transmission for a tropical low-income setting. We evaluated timing and age allocation of vaccines across vaccine supplies ranging from 10% to 90% using decade-based age groups. Year-round vaccination was beneficial when comparing to vaccination strategies focused on a particular time of year. When targeting a single age-group for vaccine prioritization, maximum vaccine allocation to the 10-19 high-contact age group minimized annual influenza mortality for all but one vaccine supply. When evaluating across all possible age allocations, optimal strategies always allocated a plurality of vaccines to school-age children (10-19). The converse however was not true as not all strategies allocating a plurality to children aged 10-19 minimized mortality. Allocating a high proportion of vaccine supply to the 10-19 age group is necessary but not sufficient to minimize annual mortality as distribution of remaining vaccine doses to other age groups also needs to be optimized. Strategies focusing on indirect benefits (vaccinating children) showed higher variance in mortality outcomes than strategies focusing on direct benefits (vaccinating the elderly). However, the indirect benefit approaches showed lower mean mortality and lower minimum mortality than vaccination focused on the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Servadio
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marc Choisy
- Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pham Quang Thai
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
- School of Preventative Medicine and Public Health, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Maciej F Boni
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and Department of Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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15
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Meier TB, Huber DL, Goeckner BD, Gill JM, Pasquina P, Broglio SP, McAllister TW, Harezlak J, McCrea MA. Association of Blood Biomarkers of Inflammation With Acute Concussion in Collegiate Athletes and Military Service Academy Cadets. Neurology 2024; 102:e207991. [PMID: 38165315 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The objective was to characterize the acute effects of concussion (a subset of mild traumatic brain injury) on serum interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 receptor antagonist (RA) and 5 additional inflammatory markers in athletes and military service academy members from the Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education Consortium and to determine whether these markers aid in discrimination of concussed participants from controls. METHODS Athletes and cadets with concussion and matched controls provided blood at baseline and postinjury visits between January 2015 and March 2020. Linear models investigated changes in inflammatory markers measured using Meso Scale Discovery assays across time points (baseline and 0-12, 12-36, 36-60 hours). Subanalyses were conducted in participants split by sex and injury population. Logistic regression analyses tested whether acute levels of IL-6 and IL-1RA improved discrimination of concussed participants relative to brain injury markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein, tau, neurofilament light, ubiquitin c-terminal hydrolase-L1) or clinical data (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-Third Edition, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, Balance Error Scoring System). RESULTS Participants with concussion (total, N = 422) had elevated IL-6 and IL-1RA at 0-12 hours vs controls (n = 345; IL-6: mean difference [MD] (standard error) = 0.701 (0.091), p < 0.0001; IL-1RA: MD = 0.283 (0.042), p < 0.0001) and relative to baseline (IL-6: MD = 0.656 (0.078), p < 0.0001; IL-1RA: MD = 0.242 (0.038), p < 0.0001), 12-36 hours (IL-6: MD = 0.609 (0.086), p < 0.0001; IL-1RA: MD = 0.322 (0.041), p < 0.0001), and 36-60 hours (IL-6: MD = 0.818 (0.084), p < 0.0001; IL-1RA: MD = 0.317 (0.040), p < 0.0001). IL-6 and IL-1RA were elevated in participants with sport (IL-6: MD = 0.748 (0.115), p < 0.0001; IL-1RA: MD = 0.304 (0.055), p < 0.0001) and combative-related concussions (IL-6: MD = 0.583 (0.178), p = 0.001; IL-1RA: MD = 0.312 (0.081), p = 0.0001). IL-6 was elevated in male (MD = 0.734 (0.105), p < 0.0001) and female participants (MD = 0.600 (0.177), p = 0.0008); IL-1RA was only elevated in male participants (MD = 0.356 (0.047), p < 0.0001). Logistic regression showed the inclusion of IL-6 and IL-1RA at 0-12 hours improved the discrimination of participants with concussion from controls relative to brain injury markers (χ2(2) = 17.855, p = 0.0001; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] 0.73 [0.66-0.80] to 0.78 [0.71-0.84]), objective clinical measures (balance and cognition; χ2(2) = 40.661, p < 0.0001; AUC 0.81 [0.76-0.86] to 0.87 [0.83-0.91]), and objective and subjective measures combined (χ2(2) = 13.456, p = 0.001; AUC 0.97 [0.95-0.99] to 0.98 [0.96-0.99]), although improvement in AUC was only significantly relative to objective clinical measures. DISCUSSION IL-6 and IL-1RA (male participants only) are elevated in the early-acute window postconcussion and may aid in diagnostic decisions beyond traditional blood markers and common clinical measures. IL-1RA results highlight sex differences in the immune response to concussion which should be considered in future biomarker work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy B Meier
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Daniel L Huber
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Bryna D Goeckner
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Jessica M Gill
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Paul Pasquina
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Steven P Broglio
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Thomas W McAllister
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Jaroslaw Harezlak
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
| | - Michael A McCrea
- From the Departments of Neurosurgery (T.B.M., D.L.H., M.A.M.), Biomedical Engineering (T.B.M.), Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy (T.B.M.), Biophysics (B.D.G.), and Neurology (M.A.M.), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; National Institute of Nursing Research (J.M.G.), NIH, Bethesda; Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Medicine (J.M.G.), Baltimore, MD; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (P.P.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Michigan Concussion Center (S.P.B.), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Psychiatry (T.W.M.), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (J.H.), School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University
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16
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Zhong X, Sun J, Zeng N, Xiong Y, An Y, Wang S, Xia Q. The Effect of Sex on the Therapeutic Efficiency of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Based on Randomized Controlled Trials. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:382. [PMID: 38254871 PMCID: PMC10814446 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex is an important factor influencing the immune system, and the distribution of tumors, including their types and subtypes, is characterized by sexual dichotomy. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between sex and the treatment effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). METHODS Four bibliographic databases were searched. Studies of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of ICI were identified and used, and the primary endpoint was the difference in efficacy of ICI between males and females, presented as overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). The study calculated the pooled HRs and 95% CIs for OS, PFS and RFS for males and females using a random effects model or a fixed effects model, and thereby assessed the effect of sex on the efficacy of ICI treatment. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022370939). RESULTS A total of 103 articles, including a total of 63,755 patients with cancer, were retrieved from the bibliographic database, of which approximately 70% were males. In studies with OS as the outcome, the combined hazard ratio (HR) was 0.77 (95% CI 0.74-0.79) for male patients treated with ICI and 0.81 (95% CI 0.78-0.85) for female patients compared to controls, respectively. The difference in efficacy between males and females was significant. CONCLUSIONS ICI therapy, under suitable conditions for its use, has a positive impact on survival in various types of tumors, and male patients benefit more than females. It may be necessary to develop different tumor immunotherapy strategies for patients of different sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Shaogang Wang
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (X.Z.); (J.S.); (N.Z.); (Y.X.); (Y.A.)
| | - Qidong Xia
- Department and Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No.1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, China; (X.Z.); (J.S.); (N.Z.); (Y.X.); (Y.A.)
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17
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Pattnaik A, Dhalech AH, Condotta SA, Corn C, Richer MJ, Snell LM, Robinson CM. A viral-specific CD4 + T cell response protects female mice from Coxsackievirus B3 infection. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1327384. [PMID: 38274806 PMCID: PMC10808549 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1327384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Biological sex plays an integral role in the immune response to various pathogens. The underlying basis for these sex differences is still not well defined. Here, we show that Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) induces a viral-specific CD4+ T cell response that can protect female mice from mortality. Methods We inoculated C57BL/6 Ifnar-/- mice with CVB3. We investigated the T cell response in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes in male and female mice following infection. Results We found that CVB3 can induce expansion of CD62Llo CD4+ T cells in the mesenteric lymph node and spleen of female but not male mice as early as 5 days post-inoculation, indicative of activation. Using a recombinant CVB3 virus expressing a model CD4+ T cell epitope, we found that this response is due to viral antigen and not bystander activation. Finally, the depletion of CD4+ T cells before infection increased mortality in female mice, indicating that CD4+ T cells play a protective role against CVB3 in our model. Conclusions Overall, these data demonstrated that CVB3 can induce an early CD4 response in female but not male mice and further emphasize how sex differences in immune responses to pathogens affect disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christopher M. Robinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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18
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Dunn SE, Perry WA, Klein SL. Mechanisms and consequences of sex differences in immune responses. Nat Rev Nephrol 2024; 20:37-55. [PMID: 37993681 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00787-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Biological sex differences refer to differences between males and females caused by the sex chromosome complement (that is, XY or XX), reproductive tissues (that is, the presence of testes or ovaries), and concentrations of sex steroids (that is, testosterone or oestrogens and progesterone). Although these sex differences are binary for most human individuals and mice, transgender individuals receiving hormone therapy, individuals with genetic syndromes (for example, Klinefelter and Turner syndromes) and people with disorders of sexual development reflect the diversity in sex-based biology. The broad distribution of sex steroid hormone receptors across diverse cell types and the differential expression of X-linked and autosomal genes means that sex is a biological variable that can affect the function of all physiological systems, including the immune system. Sex differences in immune cell function and immune responses to foreign and self antigens affect the development and outcome of diverse diseases and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Dunn
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Whitney A Perry
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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19
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Green-Fulgham SM, Ball JB, Kwilasz AJ, Harland ME, Frank MG, Dragavon JM, Grace PM, Watkins LR. Interleukin-1beta and inflammasome expression in spinal cord following chronic constriction injury in male and female rats. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:157-168. [PMID: 37838078 PMCID: PMC10841465 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Females represent a majority of chronic pain patients and show greater inflammatory immune responses in human chronic pain patient populations as well as in animal models of neuropathic pain. Recent discoveries in chronic pain research have revealed sex differences in inflammatory signaling, a key component of sensory pathology in chronic neuropathic pain, inviting more research into the nuances of these sex differences. Here we use the chronic constriction injury (CCI) model to explore similarities and differences in expression and production of Inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta in the lumbar spinal cord, as well as its role in chronic pain. We have discovered that intrathecal IL-1 receptor antagonist reverses established pain in both sexes, and increased gene expression of inflammasome NLRP3 is specific to microglia and astrocytes rather than neurons, while IL-1beta is specific to microglia in both sexes. We report several sex differences in the expression level of the genes coding for IL-1beta, as well as the four inflammasomes responsible for IL-1beta release: NLRP3, AIM2, NLRP1, and NLRC4 in the spinal cord. Total mRNA, but not protein expression of IL-1beta is greater in females than males after CCI. Also, while CCI increases all four inflammasomes in both sexes, there are sex differences in relative levels of inflammasome expression. NLRP3 and AIM2 are more highly expressed in females, whereas NLRP1 expression is greater in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Green-Fulgham
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Jayson B Ball
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Andrew J Kwilasz
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Michael E Harland
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Matthew G Frank
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Joseph M Dragavon
- Advanced Light Microscopy Core, BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | - Peter M Grace
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Linda R Watkins
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Center for Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States.
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20
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Wang C, Wang J, Wu X, Liu T, Wang F, Zhou H, Chen C, Shi L, Ma L, Liu T, Li C. Comprehensive review on sexual dimorphism to improve scalp acupuncture in nervous system disease. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14447. [PMID: 37665197 PMCID: PMC10805401 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the development of modern medicine, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) combined with western medicine began to be produced and applied. Scalp acupuncture (SA) as a Chinese medicine based on neurological theory, has a great advantage compared with TCM in the treatment of nervous system diseases. METHOD In this paper, we analyze the physiological and pathological manifestations of sexual dimorphism (SD) to illustrate the necessity of SD treatment. In addition, we review the factors that can affect SD and analyze in physiological structure, function, and pathological neurons. Diseases (pathological basis, pathological manifestations, and incidence) and factors leading to gender differences, which to analyze the possibility of gender differences in SA. RESULT Furthermore, we creatively a new insight of SD-SA and provide the complete SD treatment cases on the basis of the existing SA in different kinds of diseases including stroke, migraine, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression. CONCLUSION In summary, we believe that it is feasible to improve the clinical effectiveness of SA, which is able to promote the development of SA, and then provides an actionable evidence for the promotion of precision medicine in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Wang
- Department of First Clinical Medical CollegeHeilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHeilongjiangChina
| | - Jiening Wang
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xubo Wu
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
- School of Rehabilitation ScienceShanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of BioengineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Feng Wang
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Huanxia Zhou
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Chen Chen
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Lijuan Shi
- School of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringBeihang UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Lin Ma
- First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese MedicineHarbinChina
| | - Tiantian Liu
- Department of RehabilitationShanghai Seventh People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Cancheng Li
- School of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringBeihang UniversityBeijingChina
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21
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Kochman M, Kielar A, Kasprzak M, Maruszczak K, Kasperek W. The Relationship between Self-Rated Health and Physical Fitness in Polish Youth. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 12:24. [PMID: 38200930 PMCID: PMC10778670 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-rated health (SRH) is a tool for assessing a population's health across the lifetime, and seems to be a dynamic assessment of current health status and a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality, whereas insufficient levels of physical fitness in adolescence are a significant health problem and may contribute to the development of many disorders in adulthood. In this cross-sectional study, we attempted to assess the relationship between SRH and the physical fitness of adolescents. Two hundred and thirty-five adolescents (eighty-five boys and one hundred and fifty girls) aged 16-17 were recruited for this study. The study procedures included a short author questionnaire and physical fitness assessment (Zuchora's Physical Fitness Index). Boys declared better health states and reported less frequent morbidity of seasonal diseases (p < 0.05). No differences were found in physical fitness, the incidence of postural disorders, lower limb malalignments, foot deformities, sleep duration, and perception of physical activity on physical condition and well-being in boys and girls (p > 0.05). The comparison of physical fitness levels in adolescents with different SRH, sleep duration, perceptions of physical activity on physical condition and well-being also showed significant differences (p < 0.05). Positive SRH and perception of physical activity on physical condition and well-being, proper sleep duration (7-8 h/night), and a lack of foot deformities are associated with a better physical fitness in adolescents. Physical fitness seems to be a good predictor of SRH only in Polish boys, but not girls and the entire population. The lack of significance in the entire population could be attributed to the substantial number of girls in the study group. Despite that, it is recommended to encourage adolescents to engage in regular exercises, sleep routines and healthy lifestyles. Further research should be based on a more representative group, with a comparable number of girls and boys in the study group and potential confounders, but also they should be focused on SRH predictors to improve SRH in Polish girls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Kochman
- Physiotherapy Department, Institute of Health Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszów, 35-215 Rzeszów, Poland
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22
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Massion SP, Howa AC, Zhu Y, Kim A, Halasa N, Chappell J, McGonigle T, Mellis AM, Deyoe JE, Reed C, Rolfes MA, Talbot HK, Grijalva CG. Sex differences in COVID-19 symptom severity and trajectories among ambulatory adults. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2023; 17:e13235. [PMID: 38125808 PMCID: PMC10730332 DOI: 10.1111/irv.13235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to hundreds of millions of infections worldwide. Although differences in COVID-19 hospitalization rates between males and females have been described, many infections in the general population have been mild, and the severity of symptoms during the course of COVID-19 in non-hospitalized males and females is not well understood. Methods We conducted a case-ascertained study to examine household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infections in Nashville, Tennessee, between April 2020 and April 2021. Among enrolled ambulatory adult participants with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, we assessed the presence and severity of symptoms (total, systemic, and respiratory) daily using a symptoms severity questionnaire, from illness onset and throughout the 2-week follow-up period. We compared the mean daily symptom severity scores (0-3: none, mild, moderate, and severe) and change in symptoms between males and females using a multivariable linear mixed effects regression model. Results The analysis included 223 enrolled adults with SARS-CoV-2 infection (58% females, mostly white, non-Hispanic) from 146 households with 2917 total daily symptom reports. The overall mean severity of total symptoms reported over the illness period was 1.04 and 0.90 for females and males, respectively. Mean systemic and respiratory scores were higher for females than for males (p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, females reported more severe total and systemic symptoms during the illness period compared with males. However, no significant differences in reported respiratory symptoms were observed. Conclusions Our findings indicate that among ambulatory adults with SARS-CoV-2 infections, females reported slightly higher symptom severity during their illness compared with males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P. Massion
- Department of Health PolicyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- School of MedicineVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Amanda C. Howa
- Department of Health PolicyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Yuwei Zhu
- Department of BiostatisticsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Ahra Kim
- Department of BiostatisticsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Natasha Halasa
- Department of PediatricsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - James Chappell
- Department of PediatricsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Trey McGonigle
- Department of BiostatisticsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Alexandra M. Mellis
- Influenza DivisionCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Jessica E. Deyoe
- Influenza DivisionCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Carrie Reed
- Influenza DivisionCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Melissa A. Rolfes
- Influenza DivisionCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - H. Keipp Talbot
- Department of Health PolicyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Department of MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Carlos G. Grijalva
- Department of Health PolicyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- School of MedicineVanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
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23
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Steel R, Hamed M, Haugom JT, Ho T, Kenner N, Malfavon-Borja J, Morgans S, Salek SA, Seylani A, Jancovich JK. Age- and dose-dependent susceptibility of axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) by bath exposure to Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV). Virology 2023; 588:109909. [PMID: 37879268 PMCID: PMC11225570 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.109909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Ranaviruses are large, dsDNA viruses that have significant ecological and economic impact on cold-blooded vertebrates. However, our understanding of the viral proteins and subsequent host immune response(s) that impact susceptibility to infection and disease is not clear. The ranavirus Ambystoma tigrinum virus (ATV), originally isolated from the Sonoran tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi), is highly pathogenic at low doses of ATV at all tiger salamander life stages and this model has been used to explore the host-pathogen interactions of ATV infection. However, inconsistencies in the availability of laboratory reared larval tiger salamanders required us to look at the well characterized axolotl (A. mexicanum) as a model for ATV infection. Data obtained from five infection experiments over different developmental timepoints suggest that axolotls are susceptible to ATV in an age- and dose-dependent manner. These data support the use of the ATV-axolotl model to further explore the host-pathogen interactions of ranavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley Steel
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - Michelle Hamed
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - Josefine T Haugom
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - Trang Ho
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - Nathaniel Kenner
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - Joanna Malfavon-Borja
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - Scott Morgans
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - Savannah A Salek
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - Allen Seylani
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA
| | - James K Jancovich
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, San Marcos, CA, 92078, USA.
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24
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Pattnaik A, Dhalech AH, Condotta SA, Corn C, Richer MJ, Snell LM, Robinson CM. A viral-specific CD4 + T cell response protects female mice from Coxsackievirus B3 infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.24.563774. [PMID: 37961130 PMCID: PMC10634798 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.24.563774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Biological sex plays an integral role in the immune response to various pathogens. The underlying basis for these sex differences is still not well defined. Here, we show that Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) induces a viral-specific CD4 + T cell response that can protect female mice from mortality. We found that CVB3 can induce expansion of CD62L lo CD4 + T cells in the mesenteric lymph node and spleen of female but not male mice as early as 5 days post-inoculation, indicative of activation. Using a recombinant CVB3 virus expressing a model CD4 + T cell epitope, we found that this response is due to viral antigen and not bystander activation. Finally, the depletion of CD4 + T cells before infection increased mortality in female mice, indicating that CD4 + T cells play a protective role against CVB3 in our model. Overall, these data demonstrated that CVB3 can induce an early CD4 response in female but not male mice and further emphasize how sex differences in immune responses to pathogens affect disease outcomes.
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25
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Sharif K, Omar M, Lahat A, Patt YS, Amital H, Zoabi G, Bragazzi NL, Watad A. Big data- and machine learning-based analysis of a global pharmacovigilance database enables the discovery of sex-specific differences in the safety profile of dual IL4/IL13 blockade. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1271309. [PMID: 37954855 PMCID: PMC10637473 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1271309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Due to its apparent efficacy and safety, dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks Interleukin 4 (IL-4) and Interleukin 13 (IL-13), has been approved for treating T-helper 2 (Th2) disorders. However, adverse effects like local injection site reactions, conjunctivitis, headaches, and nasopharyngitis have been reported. Sex differences are known to influence both adaptive and innate immune responses and, thus, may have a bearing on the occurrence of these adverse effects. Nevertheless, the literature lacks a comprehensive exploration of this influence, a gap this study aims to bridge. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive data mining of VigiBase, the World Health Organization (WHO) global pharmacovigilance database which contains case safety reports of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was performed to test for sex -specific safety response to dual IL4/IL13 blockade by dupilumab. The information component (IC), a measure of the disproportionality of ADR occurrence, was evaluated and compared between males and females to identify potential sexual dimorphism. Results: Of the 94,065 ADRs recorded in the WHO global pharmacovigilance database, 2,001 (57.4%) were reported among female dupilumab users, and 1,768 (50.7%) were among males. Immune/autoimmune T-helper 1 (Th1)-, innate- and T-helper 17 (Th17)-driven diseases and degenerative ones were consistently reported with a stronger association with Dupilumab in males than females. Some adverse events were more robustly associated with Dupilumab in females. Conclusion: Dupilumab has an excellent safety profile, even though some ADRs may occur. The risk is higher among male patients, further studies, including ad hoc studies, are needed to establish causality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassem Sharif
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Department of Medicine B, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Mahmud Omar
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Adi Lahat
- Department of Gastroenterology, Sheba Medical Centre, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Department of Medicine B, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Yonatan Shneor Patt
- Department of Medicine B, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Howard Amital
- Department of Medicine B, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Ghanem Zoabi
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Abdulla Watad
- Department of Medicine B, Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
- Section of Musculoskeletal Disease, NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, Chapel Allerton Hospital, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Perlmutter JI, Atadurdyyeva A, Schedl ME, Unckless RL. Wolbachia enhances the survival of Drosophila infected with fungal pathogens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.30.560320. [PMID: 37873081 PMCID: PMC10592616 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.30.560320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Wolbachia bacteria of arthropods are at the forefront of basic and translational research on multipartite host-symbiont-pathogen interactions. These microbes are vertically inherited from mother to offspring via the cytoplasm. They are the most widespread endosymbionts on the planet due to their infamous ability to manipulate the reproduction of their hosts to spread themselves in a population, and to provide a variety of fitness benefits to their hosts. Importantly, some strains of Wolbachia can inhibit viral pathogenesis within and between arthropod hosts. Mosquitoes carrying the wMel Wolbachia strain of Drosophila melanogaster have a greatly reduced capacity to spread viruses like dengue and Zika to humans. Therefore, Wolbachia are the basis of several global vector control initiatives. While significant research efforts have focused on viruses, relatively little attention has been given to Wolbachia-fungal interactions despite the ubiquity of fungal entomopathogens in nature. Here, we demonstrate that Wolbachia increase the longevity of their Drosophila melanogaster hosts when challenged with a spectrum of yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens. We find that this pattern can vary based on host genotype, sex, and fungal species. Further, Wolbachia correlates with higher fertility and reduced pathogen titers during initial fungal infection, indicating a significant fitness benefit. This study demonstrates Wolbachia's role in diverse fungal pathogen interactions and determines that the phenotype is broad, but with several variables that influence both the presence and strength of the phenotype. These results enhance our knowledge of the strategies Wolbachia uses that likely contribute to such a high global symbiont prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aylar Atadurdyyeva
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Margaret E. Schedl
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Robert L. Unckless
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
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Malinczak CA, Fonseca W, Mire MM, Parolia A, Chinnaiyan A, Rasky AJ, Morris S, Yagi K, Bermick JR, Lukacs NW. Sex-associated early-life viral innate immune response is transcriptionally associated with chromatin remodeling of type-I IFN-inducible genes. Mucosal Immunol 2023; 16:578-592. [PMID: 37302711 PMCID: PMC10646734 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates sex-associated systemic innate immune differences by examining bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). BMDC grown from 7-day-old mice show enhanced type-I interferon (IFN) signaling in female compared to male BMDC. Upon respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection of 7-day-old mice, a significantly altered phenotype of BMDC at 4 weeks post-infection is observed in a sex-dependent manner. The alterations include heightened Ifnb/ interleukin (Il12a) and enhanced IFNAR1+ expression in BMDC from early-life RSV-infected female mice that leads to increased IFN-γ production by T cells. Phenotypic differences were verified upon pulmonary sensitization whereby EL-RSV male-derived BMDC promoted enhanced T helper 2/17 responses and exacerbated disease upon RSV infection while EL-RSV/F BMDC sensitization was relatively protective. Assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing analysis (ATAC-seq) demonstrated that EL-RSV/F BMDC had enhanced chromatin accessibility near type-I immune genes with JUN, STAT1/2, and IRF1/8 transcription factors predicted to have binding sites in accessible regions. Importantly, ATAC-seq of human cord blood-derived monocytes displayed a similar sex-associated chromatin landscape with female-derived monocytes having more accessibility in type-I immune genes. These studies enhance our understanding of sex-associated differences in innate immunity by epigenetically controlled transcriptional programs amplified by early-life infection in females via type-I immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wendy Fonseca
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Mohamed M Mire
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Abhijit Parolia
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA; Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Arul Chinnaiyan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA; Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Andrew J Rasky
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Susan Morris
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Kazuma Yagi
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | | | - Nicholas W Lukacs
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA; Mary H Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
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Suay G, Garcia-Cañaveras JC, Aparisi F, Lahoz A, Juan-Vidal O. Sex Differences in the Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Neoadjuvant Therapy of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4433. [PMID: 37760403 PMCID: PMC10526439 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the world's leading causes of morbidity and mortality. ICIs alone or combined with chemotherapy have become the standard first-line treatment of metastatic NSCLC. The impressive results obtained have stimulated our interest in applying these therapies in early disease stage treatments, as neoadjuvant immunotherapy has shown promising results. Among many of the factors that may influence responses, the role played by sex is attracting increased interest and needs to be addressed. Here, we aim to first review the state of the art regarding neoadjuvant ICIs, whether they are administered in monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy at stages IB-IIIA, particularly at stage IIIA, before analyzing whether sex may influence responses. To this end, a meta-analysis of publicly available data comparing male and female major pathological responses (MPR) and pathological complete responses (pCR) was performed. In our meta-analysis, MPR was found to be significantly higher in females than in males, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.82 (95% CI 1.13-2.93; p = 0.01), while pCR showed a trend to be more favorable in females than in males, but the OR of 1.62 was not statistically significant (95% CI 0.97-2.75; p = 0.08). Overall, our results showed that sex should be systematically considered in future clinical trials settings in order to establish the optimal treatment sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Suay
- Biomarkers and Precision Medicine Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (G.S.); (J.-C.G.-C.); (F.A.)
| | - Juan-Carlos Garcia-Cañaveras
- Biomarkers and Precision Medicine Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (G.S.); (J.-C.G.-C.); (F.A.)
| | - Francisco Aparisi
- Biomarkers and Precision Medicine Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (G.S.); (J.-C.G.-C.); (F.A.)
| | - Agustin Lahoz
- Biomarkers and Precision Medicine Unit, Health Research Institute La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (G.S.); (J.-C.G.-C.); (F.A.)
| | - Oscar Juan-Vidal
- Medical Oncology Department, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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Patel RK, Pirozzi NT, Hoefler TG, Connolly MG, Singleton LG, Kohman RA. Sex-dependent deficits in associative learning across multiple LPS doses. Physiol Behav 2023; 268:114249. [PMID: 37210020 PMCID: PMC10330873 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Activation of the immune system by administration of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) impairs cognitive and neural plasticity processes. For instance, acute LPS exposure has been reported to impair memory consolidation, spatial learning and memory, and associative learning. However, the inclusion of both males and females in basic research is limited. Whether LPS-induced cognitive deficits are comparable in males and females is currently unclear. Therefore, the present study evaluated sex differences in associative learning following administration of LPS at a dose (i.e., 0.25 mg/kg) that impairs learning in males and higher LPS doses (i.e., 0.325 - 1 mg/kg) across multiple experiments. Adult male and female C57BL/6J mice were trained in a two-way active avoidance conditioning task following their respective treatments. Results showed that LPS had sex-dependent effects on associative learning. The 0.25 mg/kg LPS dose impaired learning in males, consistent with prior work. However, LPS, at any of the doses employed across three experiments, did not disrupt associative learning in females. Female mice were resistant to learning deficits despite showing heightened levels of select proinflammatory cytokines in response to LPS. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the learning impairments resulting from acute LPS exposure are sex-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reeva K Patel
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Psychology, Wilmington, NC, United States of America
| | - Nicolas T Pirozzi
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Psychology, Wilmington, NC, United States of America
| | - Tiffany G Hoefler
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Psychology, Wilmington, NC, United States of America
| | - Meghan G Connolly
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Neuroscience Program, Champaign, IL, United States of America
| | - Lauren G Singleton
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Psychology, Wilmington, NC, United States of America
| | - Rachel A Kohman
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Psychology, Wilmington, NC, United States of America.
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Dhalech AH, Condotta SA, Pattnaik A, Corn C, Richer MJ, Robinson CM. Coxsackievirus B3 elicits a sex-specific CD8+ T cell response which protects female mice. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011465. [PMID: 37669302 PMCID: PMC10503745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex is a significant contributor to the outcome of human infections. Males are frequently more susceptible to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, often attributed to weaker immune responses. In contrast, a heightened immune response in females enables better pathogen elimination but leaves females more predisposed to autoimmune diseases. Unfortunately, the underlying basis for sex-specific immune responses remains poorly understood. Here, we show a sex difference in the CD8+ T cell response to an enteric virus, Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3). We found that CVB3 induced expansion of CD8+ T cells in female mice but not in male mice. CVB3 also increased the proportion and number of CD11ahiCD62Llo CD8+ T cells in female mice, indicative of activation. This response was independent of the inoculation route and type I interferon. Using a recombinant CVB3 virus expressing a model CD8+ T cell epitope, we found that the expansion of CD8+ T cells in females is viral-specific and not due to bystander activation. Finally, the depletion of CD8+ T cells, prior to infection, led to enhanced mortality, indicating that CD8+ T cells are protective against CVB3 in female mice. These data demonstrate that CVB3 induces a CD8+ T cell response in female mice and highlight the importance of sex-specific immune responses to viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeeba H. Dhalech
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Stephanie A. Condotta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Aryamav Pattnaik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Caleb Corn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Martin J. Richer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Christopher M. Robinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America
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31
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Zinck CB, Raveendram Thampy P, Uhlemann EME, Adam H, Wachter J, Suchan D, Cameron ADS, Rego ROM, Brisson D, Bouchard C, Ogden NH, Voordouw MJ. Variation among strains of Borrelia burgdorferi in host tissue abundance and lifetime transmission determine the population strain structure in nature. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011572. [PMID: 37607182 PMCID: PMC10473547 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathogen life history theory assumes a positive relationship between pathogen load in host tissues and pathogen transmission. Empirical evidence for this relationship is surprisingly rare due to the difficulty of measuring transmission for many pathogens. The comparative method, where a common host is experimentally infected with a set of pathogen strains, is a powerful approach for investigating the relationships between pathogen load and transmission. The validity of such experimental estimates of strain-specific transmission is greatly enhanced if they can predict the pathogen population strain structure in nature. Borrelia burgdorferi is a multi-strain, tick-borne spirochete that causes Lyme disease in North America. This study used 11 field-collected strains of B. burgdorferi, a rodent host (Mus musculus, C3H/HeJ) and its tick vector (Ixodes scapularis) to determine the relationship between pathogen load in host tissues and lifetime host-to-tick transmission (HTT). Mice were experimentally infected via tick bite with 1 of 11 strains. Lifetime HTT was measured by infesting mice with I. scapularis larval ticks on 3 separate occasions. The prevalence and abundance of the strains in the mouse tissues and the ticks were determined by qPCR. We used published databases to obtain estimates of the frequencies of these strains in wild I. scapularis tick populations. Spirochete loads in ticks and lifetime HTT varied significantly among the 11 strains of B. burgdorferi. Strains with higher spirochete loads in the host tissues were more likely to infect feeding larval ticks, which molted into nymphal ticks that had a higher probability of B. burgdorferi infection (i.e., higher HTT). Our laboratory-based estimates of lifetime HTT were predictive of the frequencies of these strains in wild I. scapularis populations. For B. burgdorferi, the strains that establish high abundance in host tissues and that have high lifetime transmission are the strains that are most common in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B. Zinck
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Prasobh Raveendram Thampy
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Eva-Maria E. Uhlemann
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Hesham Adam
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jenny Wachter
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Danae Suchan
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Andrew D. S. Cameron
- Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Ryan O. M. Rego
- Biology Centre, Institute of Parasitology, Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Dustin Brisson
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Catherine Bouchard
- Public Health Risk Sciences, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, St Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nicholas H. Ogden
- Public Health Risk Sciences, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, St Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique (GREZOSP), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique (CReSP), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maarten J. Voordouw
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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Alemu J, Gumi B, Tsegaye A, Abubeker A, Tadesse F, Shewaye A, Rahimeto Z, Mihret A, Mulu A, Gebremedhin A, Howe R. Frequency of viral infections in adolescent and adult in-patient Ethiopians with acute leukemia at presentation to a tertiary care teaching hospital: a cross-sectional study. Infect Agent Cancer 2023; 18:44. [PMID: 37438754 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-023-00519-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leukemic patients are prone to infectious agents such as viruses due to dysregulated immune system resulting from infiltration of the bone marrow by malignant cells, chronic stimulation, reactivation of some viruses and viral pathogenicity as well as rarely from acquisition of a new infections leading to severe complications. However, the prevalence of these infections has not been systematically documented in resource-limited settings such as Ethiopia. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among adult and adolescent in-patients with acute leukemia before the administration of chemotherapy, at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted on 176 adult and adolescent inpatient Ethiopians, who were diagnosed with acute leukemia from April 2019 to June 2021. Socio-demographic characteristics and relevant clinical data were collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected and tested for HBV, HIV, and HCV using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR. Chi-square tests were used to assess associations between variables. RESULTS Of the 176 patients, 109(62%) were males. The median age was 25[IQR,18-35] yr, with a range from 13 to 76 year. The prevalence of HBV (positivity for HBsAg plus HBV DNA), HCV and HIV was 21.6%, 1.7%, and 1.7%, respectively. HBsAg was positive in 19 cases (10.8%). Among 157 HBsAg negative patients, 52(33.1%) were positive for Anti-HBcAg; of these seropositive cases, 47.5% were positive for HBV DNA. Most DNA positive, HBsAg negative cases (79.0%) had DNA concentrations below 200 IU/ml indicating true occult HBV infection (OBI). Of the 176 cases, 122 had a history of blood transfusions, but no statistically significant association was found between HBV infection and blood product transfusion history (P = 0.963). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of HBV, HIV and HCV in patients with acute leukemia was similar to the national prevalence level of these infections. Given the HBsAg positivity and the high prevalence of occult hepatitis B infection in our study, these patients may be at increased risk for chemotherapy related hepatitis flares. Hence, clinicians caring these patients are strongly advised to screen their patients for HBV and also for HIV and HCV infections routinely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemal Alemu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
| | - Balako Gumi
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Aster Tsegaye
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abdulaziz Abubeker
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fisihatsion Tadesse
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Abel Shewaye
- Department of Laboratory, ALERT Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Adane Mihret
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Amha Gebremedhin
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Rawleigh Howe
- Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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de Oliveira Rekowsky LL, de Oliveira DT, Cazzaniga RA, Magalhães LS, Albuquerque LF, Araujo JMS, Tenório MDL, Machado TC, Lipscomb MW, Dos Santos PL, Ribeiro de Jesus A, Bezerra-Santos M, da Silva RLL. Influence of Testosterone in Neglected Tropical Diseases: Clinical Aspects in Leprosy and In Vitro Experiments in Leishmaniasis. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:357. [PMID: 37505653 PMCID: PMC10385189 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8070357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neglected tropical diseases encompass a group of chronic and debilitating infectious diseases that primarily affect marginalized populations. Among these diseases, leprosy and leishmaniasis are endemic in numerous countries and can result in severe and disfiguring manifestations. Although there have been reports indicating a higher incidence of leprosy and leishmaniasis in males, the underlying factors contributing to this observation remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine both clinical and experimental evidence regarding the role of testosterone in leprosy and leishmaniasis. A prospective clinical study was conducted to compare the clinical forms of leprosy and assess circulating testosterone levels. Additionally, the impact of testosterone on Leishmania amazonensis-infected macrophages was evaluated in vitro. The findings demonstrated that serum testosterone levels were higher in women with leprosy than in the control group, irrespective of the multi- or pauci-bacillary form of the disease. However, no differences in testosterone levels were observed in men when comparing leprosy patients and controls. Interestingly, increasing doses of testosterone in macrophages infected with L. amazonensis resulted in a higher proportion of infected cells, decreased CD40 expression on the cell surface, elevated expression of SOCS1, and decreased expression of IRF5. These findings provide biological evidence to support the influence of testosterone on intracellular infections, though the interpretation of clinical evidence remains limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís Lima de Oliveira Rekowsky
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Daniela Teles de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Anselmo Cazzaniga
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Lucas Sousa Magalhães
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Lenise Franco Albuquerque
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Dermatology Division of Medical Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Jonnia Maria Sherlock Araujo
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Dermatology Division of Medical Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Martha Débora Lira Tenório
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Dermatology Division of Medical Hospital, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Tiziane Cotta Machado
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Michael W Lipscomb
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Priscila Lima Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Amelia Ribeiro de Jesus
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Instituto de Investigação em Imunologia (iii), Institutos Nacionais de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT), CNPq, São Paulo 05403-900, Brazil
| | - Márcio Bezerra-Santos
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Posgraduate Program of Health Science, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Luís Louzada da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju 49060676, Brazil
- Health Education Department, Federal University of Sergipe, Lagarto 49400000, Brazil
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Chatterjee T, Lewis TL, Arora I, Gryshyna AE, Underwood L, Masjoan Juncos JX, Aggarwal S. Sex-Based Disparities in Leukocyte Migration and Activation in Response to Inhalation Lung Injury: Role of SDF-1/CXCR4 Signaling. Cells 2023; 12:1719. [PMID: 37443753 PMCID: PMC10340292 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine whether sex-related differences exist in immune response to inhalation lung injury. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to Cl2 gas (500 ppm for 15, 20, or 30 min). Results showed that male mice have higher rates of mortality and lung injury than females. The binding of the chemokine ligand C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12), also called stromal-derived-factor-1 (SDF-1), to the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) on lung cells promotes the migration of leukocytes from circulation to lungs. Therefore, the hypothesis was that elevated SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling mediates exaggerated immune response in males. Plasma, blood leukocytes, and lung cells were collected from mice post-Cl2 exposure. Plasma levels of SDF-1 and peripheral levels of CXCR4 in lung cells were higher in male vs. female mice post-Cl2 exposure. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and elastase activity was significantly increased in leukocytes of male mice exposed to Cl2. Lung cells were then ex vivo treated with SDF-1 (100 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of the CXCR4 inhibitor, AMD3100 (100 nM). SDF-1 significantly increased migration, MPO, and elastase activity in cells obtained from male vs. female mice post-Cl2 exposure. AMD3100 attenuated these effects, suggesting that differential SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling may be responsible for sex-based disparities in the immune response to inhalation lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Saurabh Aggarwal
- Division of Molecular and Translational Biomedicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35205-3703, USA; (T.C.); (T.L.L.); (I.A.); (A.E.G.); (L.U.); (J.X.M.J.)
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Johnson L, Shapiro M, Janicki S, Mankoff J, Stricker RB. Does Biological Sex Matter in Lyme Disease? The Need for Sex-Disaggregated Data in Persistent Illness. Int J Gen Med 2023; 16:2557-2571. [PMID: 37351009 PMCID: PMC10284166 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s406466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Biological sex should be included as an important variable in clinical research studies to identify outcome differences between men and women. Very few Lyme disease studies were designed to consider sex-based differences or gender bias as an important component of the research design. Methods To assess sex-based differences in Lyme disease patients who were clinically diagnosed and reported remaining ill for six or more months after receiving antibiotic treatment, we analyzed self-reported clinical data from 2170 patients in the MyLymeData patient registry. We also reviewed previous Lyme disease studies for distribution of patients by biological sex according to stage of illness, data source, and definition of disease used as enrollment criteria. Results In MyLymeData, women reported more tick-borne coinfections, worse symptoms, longer diagnostic delays, more misdiagnoses, and worse functional impairment than men. No differences were reported in antibiotic treatment response or side effects. In our review, of clinical research trials and data sources, we identified a smaller percentage of women in studies of acute Lyme disease and a larger percentage of women in studies of persistent illness. Samples and data sources that were more reflective of patients seen in clinical practice had a higher percentage of women than randomized controlled trials and post-treatment Lyme disease studies. Conclusion Our results indicate that biological sex should be integrated into Lyme disease research as a distinct variable. Future Lyme disease studies should include sex-based disaggregated data to illuminate differences that may exist between men and women with persistent illness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sylvia Janicki
- School of Literature, Media and Communications, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer Mankoff
- Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Kolb AW, Ferguson SA, Larsen IV, Brandt CR. Disease parameters following ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 infection are similar in male and female BALB/C mice. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0287194. [PMID: 37319284 PMCID: PMC10270577 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex related differences in the incidence or severity of infection have been described for multiple viruses. With herpes simplex viruses, the best example is HSV-2 genital infection where women have a higher incidence of infection and can have more severe infections than men. HSV-1 causes several types of infections including skin and mucosal ulcers, keratitis, and encephalitis in humans that do not appear to have a strong biological sex component. Given that mouse strains differ in their MHC loci it is important to determine if sex differences occur in multiple strains of mice. Our goal was to answer two questions: Are virus related sex differences present in BALB/C mice and does virulence of the viral strain have an effect? We generated a panel of recombinant HSV-1 viruses with differing virulence phenotypes and characterized multiple clinical correlates of ocular infection in BALB/c mice. We found no sex-specific differences in blepharitis, corneal clouding, neurovirulence, and viral titers in eye washes. Sex differences in neovascularization, weight loss and eyewash titers were observed for some recombinants, but these were not consistent across the phenotypes tested for any recombinant virus. Considering these findings, we conclude that there are no significant sex specific ocular pathologies in the parameters measured, regardless of the virulence phenotype following ocular infection in BALB/c mice, suggesting that the use of both sexes is not necessary for the bulk of ocular infection studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron W. Kolb
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Ferguson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Inna V. Larsen
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
| | - Curtis R. Brandt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, United States of America
- McPherson Eye Research Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States of America
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Aguilar OA. X chromosome enhances NK cell responses. Trends Genet 2023:S0168-9525(23)00126-9. [PMID: 37295976 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Incomplete X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) can cause differences between sexes. Cheng et al. identified that the histone demethylase UTX, encoded by an X chromosome gene that escapes XCI, contributes to sex differences in natural killer (NK) cells, whereby males have increased NK cell numbers while female NK cells have enhanced responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar A Aguilar
- Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, University of California - San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Tolo IE, Bajer PG, Mor SK, Phelps NBD. Disease ecology and host range of Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) in CyHV-3 endemic lakes of North America. JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES 2023; 46:679-696. [PMID: 36966383 DOI: 10.1111/jfd.13778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyprinid herpesvirus-3 (CyHV-3) is an important pathogen of common carp (Cyprinus carpio, carp) causing significant economic and ecological impacts worldwide. The recent emergence of CyHV-3 in the Upper Midwest region of the United States has raised questions related to the disease ecology and host specificity of CyHV-3 in wild carp populations. To determine the prevalence of CyHV-3 in wild populations of fishes in Minnesota, we surveyed five lakes in 2019 in which the virus was known to have caused mass mortality events in carp from 2017 to 2018. A total of 28 species (n = 756 total fish) of native fishes and 730 carp were screened for the presence of CyHV-3 DNA using specific qPCR. None of the native fish tissues tested positive for CyHV-3 although the prevalence of CyHV-3 in carp was 10%-50% in the five lakes. A single lake (Lake Elysian) with a 50% DNA detection rate and evidence of ongoing transmission and CyHV-3-associated mortality was surveyed again in 2020 from April to September. During this period, none of the tissues from 24 species (n = 607 total fish) tested positive for CyHV-3 though CyHV-3 DNA and mRNA (indicating viral replication) was detected in carp tissues during the sampling period. CyHV-3 DNA was detected most often in brain samples without evidence of replication, potentially indicating that brain tissue is a site for CyHV-3 latency. Paired qPCR and ELISA testing for Lake Elysian in 2019-2020 identified young carp (especially males) to be the primary group impacted by CyHV-3-associated mortality and acute infections, but with no positive detections in juvenile carp. Seroprevalence of carp from Lake Elysian was 57% in 2019, 92% in April of 2020 and 97% in September 2020. These results further corroborate the host specificity of CyHV-3 to carp in mixed wild populations of fishes in Minnesota and provide additional insights into the ecological niche of CyHV-3 in shallow lake populations of carp in North America.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaiah E Tolo
- Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Przemyslaw G Bajer
- Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sunil K Mor
- Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nicholas B D Phelps
- Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
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Manook M, Olaso D, Anwar IJ, Yoon J, Delaura I, Bae Y, Moris D, Shaw B, Song M, Farris AB, Jackson A, Kwun J, Knechtle S. Desensitization and belatacept-based maintenance therapy in pregnancy-sensitized monkeys receiving a kidney transplant. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg1448. [PMID: 37205758 PMCID: PMC10198638 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg1448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Among sensitized patients awaiting a transplant, females are disproportionately represented, partly because of pregnancy-induced sensitization. Using female NHPs sensitized by pregnancy alone, we examined the efficacy of costimulation blockade and proteasome inhibition for desensitization. Three animals received no desensitization (control), and seven animals received weekly carfilzomib (27 mg/m2) and belatacept (20 mg/kg) before kidney transplantation. All animals received renal allografts from crossmatch-positive/maximally MHC-mismatched donors. Controls and three desensitized animals received tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. Four desensitized animals received additional belatacept with tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. Multiparous females had less circulating donor-specific antibody when compared to skin-sensitized males before transplantation. While females receiving desensitization showed only a marginal survival benefit over control females (MST = 11 days versus 63 days), additional belatacept to posttransplant maintenance significantly prolonged graft survival (MST > 164 days) and suppressed posttransplant DSA and circulating follicular helper T-like cells. This combination of therapies demonstrates great potential to reduce antibody-mediated rejection in sensitized recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Manook
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Danae Olaso
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Imran J. Anwar
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Janghoon Yoon
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Isabel Delaura
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Yeeun Bae
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Dimitrios Moris
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Brian Shaw
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mingqing Song
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Alton B. Farris
- Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Annette Jackson
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jean Kwun
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Stuart Knechtle
- Duke Transplant Center, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Song X, Xue L, Geng X, Wu J, Wu T, Zhang M. Structural Characteristics and Immunomodulatory Effects of Melanoidins from Black Garlic. Foods 2023; 12:foods12102004. [PMID: 37238824 DOI: 10.3390/foods12102004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoidins are considered to have several biological activities. In this study, black garlic melanoidins (MLDs) were collected using ethanol solution extraction; 0%, 20%, and 40% ethanol solutions were used for chromatography. Three kinds of melanoidins were produced by macroporous resin, named MLD-0, MLD-20, and MLD-40. The molecular weight was determined, and the infrared and microscopic structures were studied. In addition, Balb/c mice were induced with cyclophosphamide (CTX) to establish an immune deficiency model to evaluate the immune efficacy of black garlic melanoidins (MLDs). The results showed that MLDs restored the proliferation and phagocytosis ability of macrophages, and the proliferation activity of B lymphocytes in the MD group was 63.32% (♀) and 58.11% (♂) higher than that in the CTX group, respectively. In addition, MLDs alleviated the abnormal expression of serum factors such as IFN-γ, IL-10, and TNF-α. 16SrDNA sequencing of intestinal fecal samples of mice showed that MLDs changed the structure and quantity of intestinal flora, and especially that the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae was significantly increased. The relative abundance of Staphylococcaceae was significantly reduced. These results showed that MLDs improved the diversity of intestinal flora in mice, and improved the adverse state of immune organs and immune cells. The experiments confirm that black garlic melanoidins have potential value in immune activity, which provides an important basis for the development and utilization of melioidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Liangyu Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Jianfu Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Tao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Food Biotechnology Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education, College of Food Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Min Zhang
- China-Russia Agricultural Products Processing Joint Laboratory, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
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Ji JH, Ha SY, Lee D, Sankar K, Koltsova EK, Abou-Alfa GK, Yang JD. Predictive Biomarkers for Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment Response in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:7640. [PMID: 37108802 PMCID: PMC10144688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has one of the highest mortality rates among solid cancers. Late diagnosis and a lack of efficacious treatment options contribute to the dismal prognosis of HCC. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based immunotherapy has presented a new milestone in the treatment of cancer. Immunotherapy has yielded remarkable treatment responses in a range of cancer types including HCC. Based on the therapeutic effect of ICI alone (programmed cell death (PD)-1/programmed death-ligand1 (PD-L)1 antibody), investigators have developed combined ICI therapies including ICI + ICI, ICI + tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and ICI + locoregional treatment or novel immunotherapy. Although these regimens have demonstrated increasing treatment efficacy with the addition of novel drugs, the development of biomarkers to predict toxicity and treatment response in patients receiving ICI is in urgent need. PD-L1 expression in tumor cells received the most attention in early studies among various predictive biomarkers. However, PD-L1 expression alone has limited utility as a predictive biomarker in HCC. Accordingly, subsequent studies have evaluated the utility of tumor mutational burden (TMB), gene signatures, and multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) as predictive biomarkers. In this review, we aim to discuss the current state of immunotherapy for HCC, the results of the predictive biomarker studies, and future direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ho Ji
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon 51353, Republic of Korea
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Sang Yun Ha
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 03181, Republic of Korea
| | - Danbi Lee
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Kamya Sankar
- Division of Medical Oncology, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ekaterina K. Koltsova
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
| | - Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Weil Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ju Dong Yang
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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Broustas CG, Shuryak I, Duval AJ, Amundson SA. Effect of Age and Sex on Gene Expression-Based Radiation Biodosimetry Using Mouse Peripheral Blood. Cytogenet Genome Res 2023; 163:197-209. [PMID: 36928338 PMCID: PMC10585707 DOI: 10.1159/000530172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Blood-based gene expression profiles that can reconstruct radiation exposure are being developed as a practical approach to radiation biodosimetry. However, age and sex could potentially limit the accuracy of the approach. In this study, we determined the impact of age on the peripheral blood cell gene expression profile of female mice exposed to radiation and identified differences and similarities with a previously obtained transcriptomic signature of male mice. Young (2 months) and old (24 months) female mice were irradiated with 4 Gy X-rays, total RNA was isolated from blood 24 hours later and subjected to whole-genome microarray analysis. Dose reconstruction analyses using a gene signature trained on gene expression data from irradiated young male mice showed accurate reconstruction of 0 or 4 Gy doses with root mean square error of ±0.75 Gy (R2 = 0.90) in young female mice. Although dose reconstruction for irradiated old female mice was less accurate than young female mice, the deviation from the actual radiation dose was not statistically significant. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that after irradiation, apoptosis-related functions were overrepresented, whereas functions related to quantities of various immune cell subtypes were underrepresented, among differentially expressed genes from young female mice, but not older animals. Furthermore, young mice significantly upregulated genes involved in phagocytosis, a process that eliminates apoptotic cells and preserves tissue homeostasis. Both functions were also overrepresented in young, but not old, male mice following 4 Gy X-irradiation. Lastly, functions associated with neutrophil activation that is essential for killing invading pathogens and regulating the inflammatory response were predicted to be uniquely enriched in young but not old female mice. This work supports the concept that peripheral blood gene expression profiles can be identified in mice that accurately predict physical radiation dose exposure irrespective of age and sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantinos G. Broustas
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Igor Shuryak
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Axel J. Duval
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sally A. Amundson
- Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Ito K, Daly L, Coates M. An impact of age on respiratory syncytial virus infection in air-liquid-interface culture bronchial epithelium. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1144050. [PMID: 36999069 PMCID: PMC10043235 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1144050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundElderly people are known to be vulnerable to virus infection. However, this has not been appropriately tested in in vitro studies due to a lack of appropriate virus infection models. In this report, we investigated the impact of age on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in pseudostratified air-liquid-interface (ALI) culture bronchial epithelium, which more closely mimic human airway epithelium morphologically and physiologically, than submerged cancer cell line cultures.MethodsRSV A2 was inoculated apically to the bronchial epithelium obtained from 8 donors with different ages (28–72 years old), and time-profiles of viral load and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed.ResultsRSV A2 replicated well in ALI-culture bronchial epithelium. The viral peak day and peak viral load were similar between donors at ≤60 years old (n = 4) and > 65 years old (n = 4; elderly group), but virus clearance was impaired in the elderly group. Furthermore, area under the curve (AUC) analysis, calculated from viral load peak to the end of sample collection (from Day 3 to 10 post inoculation), revealed statistically higher live viral load (PFU assay) and viral genome copies (PCR assay) in the elderly group, and a positive correlation between viral load and age was observed. In addition, the AUCs of RANTES, LDH, and dsDNA (cell damage marker) were statistically higher in the elderly group, and the elderly group showed a trend of higher AUC of CXCL8, CXCL10 and mucin production. The gene expression of p21CDKN1A (cellular senescence marker) at baseline was also higher in the elderly group, and there was a good positive correlation between basal p21 expression and viral load or RANTES (AUC).ConclusionAge was found to be a key factor affecting viral kinetics and biomarkers post virus infection in an ALI-culture model. Currently, novel or innovative in vitro cell models are introduced for virus research, but when virus studies are conducted, similarly to working with other clinical samples, the age balance is important to obtain more accurate results.
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Rueda-Ruzafa L, Roman P, Cardona D, Requena M, Ropero-Padilla C, Alarcón R. Environmental pesticide exposure and the risk of irritable bowel syndrome: A case-control study. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 98:104076. [PMID: 36754128 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The agricultural model in southern Spain is highly productive, mainly due to the intensive cultivation under plastic. Despite strict pesticide regulation, human exposure to pesticides in the environment has been connected to an increase in diseases such as celiac disease. Certain pesticides have also been associated to the disruption of the intestinal microbiota, which has been tied to the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A case-control study was conducted in Andalusia, south Spain, to assess the prevalence and risk of IBS related to pesticide exposure. This research found a high prevalence of IBS in Andalusia between 2000 and 2021 in areas with high pesticide exposure using agronomic criteria. Furthermore, the odds ratio for IBS was significantly higher in the population with high pesticide exposure. This study suggests that pesticides may be involved in IBS, whereas more research is needed to determine the role of pesticides in IBS symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lola Rueda-Ruzafa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada, 04120 Almeria, Spain.
| | - Pablo Roman
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada, 04120 Almeria, Spain; Health Research Center, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada 04120, Spain.
| | - Diana Cardona
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada, 04120 Almeria, Spain; Health Research Center, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada 04120, Spain.
| | - Mar Requena
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada, 04120 Almeria, Spain; Health Research Center, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada 04120, Spain.
| | - Carmen Ropero-Padilla
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada, 04120 Almeria, Spain.
| | - Raquel Alarcón
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada, 04120 Almeria, Spain; Health Research Center, University of Almeria, Carretera Sacramento S/N, La Cañada 04120, Spain.
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Roberts KE, Longdon B. Heterogeneities in infection outcomes across species: sex and tissue differences in virus susceptibility. PEER COMMUNITY JOURNAL 2023; 3:pcjournal.242. [PMID: 36811030 PMCID: PMC7614206 DOI: 10.24072/pcjournal.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Species vary in their susceptibility to pathogens, and this can alter the ability of a pathogen to infect a novel host. However, many factors can generate heterogeneity in infection outcomes, obscuring our ability to understand pathogen emergence. Such heterogeneities can alter the consistency of responses across individuals and host species. For example, sexual dimorphism in susceptibility means males are often intrinsically more susceptible than females (although this can vary by host and pathogen). Further, we know little about whether the tissues infected by a pathogen in one host are the same in another species, and how this relates to the harm a pathogen does to its host. Here, we first take a comparative approach to examine sex differences in susceptibility across 31 species of Drosophilidae infected with Drosophila C Virus (DCV). We found a strong positive inter-specific correlation in viral load between males and females, with a close to 1:1 relationship, suggesting that susceptibility to DCV across species is not sex specific. Next, we made comparisons of the tissue tropism of DCV across seven species of fly. We found differences in viral load between the tissues of the seven host species, but no evidence of tissues showing different patterns of susceptibility in different host species. We conclude that, in this system, patterns of viral infectivity across host species are robust between males and females, and susceptibility in a given host is general across tissue types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Roberts
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Ben Longdon
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, TR10 9FE, UK
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deKay JT, May TL, Riker RR, Rud J, Gagnon DJ, Sawyer DB, Seder DB, Ryzhov S. The number of circulating CD26 expressing cells is decreased in critical COVID-19 illness. Cytometry A 2023; 103:153-161. [PMID: 35246910 PMCID: PMC9087143 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.24547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated the number of CD26 expressing cells in peripheral blood of patients with COVID-19 within 72 h of admission and on day 4 and day 7 after enrollment. The majority of CD26 expressing cells were presented by CD3+ CD4+ lymphocytes. A low number of CD26 expressing cells were found to be associated with critical-severity COVID-19 disease. Conversely, increasing numbers of CD26 expressing T cells over the first week of standard treatment was associated with good outcomes. Clinically, the number of circulating CD26 cells might be a marker of recovery or the therapeutic efficacy of anti-COVID-19 treatment. New therapies aimed at preserving and increasing the level of CD26 expressing T cells may prove useful in the treatment of COVID-19 disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne T. deKay
- Center for Molecular MedicineMaine Medical Center Research InstituteScarboroughMaineUSA
| | - Teresa L. May
- Center for Molecular MedicineMaine Medical Center Research InstituteScarboroughMaineUSA
- Department of Critical Care ServicesMaine Medical CenterPortlandMaineUSA
| | - Richard R. Riker
- Department of Critical Care ServicesMaine Medical CenterPortlandMaineUSA
| | - Jonathan Rud
- Department of Critical Care ServicesMaine Medical CenterPortlandMaineUSA
| | - David J. Gagnon
- Center for Molecular MedicineMaine Medical Center Research InstituteScarboroughMaineUSA
- Department of PharmacyMaine Medical CenterPortlandMaineUSA
- Tufts University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Douglas B. Sawyer
- Center for Molecular MedicineMaine Medical Center Research InstituteScarboroughMaineUSA
- Department of Critical Care ServicesMaine Medical CenterPortlandMaineUSA
| | - David B. Seder
- Center for Molecular MedicineMaine Medical Center Research InstituteScarboroughMaineUSA
- Department of Critical Care ServicesMaine Medical CenterPortlandMaineUSA
| | - Sergey Ryzhov
- Center for Molecular MedicineMaine Medical Center Research InstituteScarboroughMaineUSA
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Ivan S, Daniela O, Jaroslava BD. Sex differences matter: Males and females are equal but not the same. Physiol Behav 2023; 259:114038. [PMID: 36423797 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.114038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences between males and females can be detected early in life. They are present also later even to a much greater extent affecting our life in adulthood and a wide spectrum of physical, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics. Moreover, sex differences matter also in individual's health and disease. In this article, we reviewed at first the sex differences in brain organization and function with respect to the underlying biological mechanisms. Since the individual functional differences in the brain, in turn, shape the behavior, sex-specific psychological/behavioral differences that can be observed in infants but also adults are consequently addressed. Finally, we briefly mention sex-dependent variations in susceptibility to selected disorders as well as their pathophysiology, diagnosis, and response to therapy. The understanding of biologically determined variability between males and females can have important implications, especially in gender-specific health care. We have the impression that it is very important to emphasize that sex matters. Males and females are differently programmed by nature, and it must be respected. Even though we as males and females are not the same, we would like to emphasize that we are still equal and together form a worthy colorful continuum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szadvári Ivan
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ostatníková Daniela
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Shang W, Zhang B, Ren Y, Wang W, Zhou D, Li Y. Thymosin alpha1 use in adult COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis on clinical outcomes. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109584. [PMID: 36527881 PMCID: PMC9754924 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thymosin alpha1 (Ta1) is widely used to treat patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), however, its effect remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of Ta1 as a COVID-19 therapy. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, Web of Science, and the reference lists of relevant articles were searched to identify eligible studies. Assessment of heterogeneity was done using the I-squared (I2) test and random/fixed effect analysis was done to determine the risk ratio (RR). We polled the data related to mortality mainly by using Review Manager 5.4. Predefined subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed. RESULTS A total of 9 studies were included, on a total of 5352 (Ta1 = 1152, control = 4200) patient outcomes. Meta-analysis results indicated that Ta1 therapy had no statistically significant effect on mortality [RR 1.03 (0.60, 1.75), p = 0.92, I2 = 90 %]. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the beneficial effect in mortality was associated with mean age>60 years in the Tα1 group [RR 0.68 (0.58, 0.78), p < 0.0000.1, I2 = 0 %], the proportion of female ≤ 40 % in the Tα1 group [RR 0.67 (0.58, 0.77), p < 0.0000.1, I2 = 0 %], and severe/critical COVID-19 patients [RR 0.66 (0.57, 0.76), p < 0.0000.1, I2 = 0 %]. Sensitivity analysis further demonstrated the results to be robust. CONCLUSIONS The results of this meta-analysis do not support the use of Ta1 in hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Shang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Puai Hospital, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Yali Ren
- Department of Medical Affairs, Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Weina Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Puai Hospital, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Dengfeng Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Puai Hospital, Wuhan 430030, China.
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wuhan Fourth Hospital, Puai Hospital, Wuhan 430030, China.
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Gedefie A, Seid A, Molla Fenta G, Tilahun M, Shibabaw A, Ali A. Hepatitis B and C virus infections and associated factors among HIV-positive and HIV-negative tuberculosis patients in public health facilities, Northeast Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231166642. [PMID: 37123386 PMCID: PMC10134168 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231166642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Viral hepatitis, particularly hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, is the leading cause of global liver-related morbidity and mortality. Concomitant infections of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis are risks of hepatotoxicity and death due to antituberculosis therapy. Hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection poses challenges in treating hepatotoxic patients and leads to mortality during antituberculosis treatment. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections, and associated factors among human immunodeficiency virus-positive and human immunodeficiency virus-negative tuberculosis patients attending public health facilities, Northeast Ethiopia. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 229 tuberculosis patients from January 1 to April 30, 2021 in public health facilities' tuberculosis treatment centers. Study participants were selected using a consecutive sampling technique. Data on sociodemographic and other risk factors were collected using an interviewer-based pretested questionnaire by trained data collectors. Anti-hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B surface antigen were determined in serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Logistic regression analysis was computed, and then variables with a p value <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. Result The overall hepatitis virus infection among human immunodeficiency virus-positive and human immunodeficiency virus-negative tuberculosis patients was 14.03% and 8.14%, respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in human immunodeficiency virus positives and human immunodeficiency virus negatives was 10.5% and 6.4% and hepatitis C virus infection in human immunodeficiency virus positives and human immunodeficiency virus negatives was 3.5% and 1.75%, respectively. Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus coinfections were not observed. Older age, history of problematic alcohol use, history of blood transfusion, ear-noise piercing, and history of multiple heterosexual partners were predictors for the hepatitis virus infection. Conclusion Hepatitis virus infection increases morbidity and mortality of tuberculosis patients. Therefore, screening tuberculosis patients for hepatitis virus infection is necessary to reduce the risk of antituberculosis complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemu Gedefie
- Alemu Gedefie, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie 1145, Ethiopia.
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Briggs J, Murray M, Nideffer J, Jagannathan P. Sex-Linked Differences in Malaria Risk Across the Lifespan. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2023; 441:185-208. [PMID: 37695429 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-35139-6_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the high burden of malaria worldwide, there is surprisingly scarce research on sex-based differences in malaria outside of pregnancy. A more thorough understanding of sexual dimorphism in malaria, and what underlies these sex-based differences, could elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving malaria pathogenesis and has the potential to inform malaria control efforts, including new vaccines. This review summarizes our current understanding of sex-based differences in the epidemiology of malaria across the lifespan, potential sex- or gender-based mechanisms driving these differences, and the knowledge gaps that need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Briggs
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States
| | - Margaret Murray
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States
| | - Jason Nideffer
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States
| | - Prasanna Jagannathan
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States.
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