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Panahibakhsh M, Amiri F, Doroudi T, Sadeghi M, Kolivand P, Alipour F, Gorji A. The association between micronutrients and the SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in convalescent patients. Infection 2022; 50:965-972. [PMID: 35190974 PMCID: PMC8860137 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01774-2] [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: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Various micronutrients play key roles in the immune responses to viral infection, antibody synthesis, and susceptibility to infection. This study aimed to investigate the role of micronutrients on the immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS To evaluate humoral immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG, as well as the concentrations of different micronutrients, were determined in 36 convalescent COVID-19 patients 60 days after infection. Furthermore, the correlation between biochemical and hematological parameters, clinical features, and the changes in adiposity with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was evaluated. RESULTS Serum IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 38.8% and 83.3% of recovered patients after 60 days of COVID-19 infection, respectively. The values of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG were negatively correlated with the number of the platelet. Moreover, the values of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM were positively correlated with LDH and the vitamin B12 concentration. Furthermore, a gender-specific association of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgM with vitamins D as well as with B9 and zinc was observed. A significant negative correlation was observed between the values of IgG with vitamin D in male participants and a positive correlation was detected between IgG values and B9 in female participants. Moreover, IgM levels with serum zinc values in females were negatively correlated. CONCLUSION Our study suggests the potential role of micronutrients in gender-specific humoral immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies are required with a greater sample of subjects to substantiate the validity and robustness of our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Faramarz Amiri
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Taher Doroudi
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Sadeghi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Alipour
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Gorji
- Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. .,Epilepsy Research Center, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany. .,Department of Neurology with Institute of Translational Neurology, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany.
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Oliveira-Silva J, Reis T, Lopes C, Batista-Silva R, Ribeiro R, Marques G, Pacheco V, Rodrigues T, Afonso A, Pinheiro V, Araújo L, Rodrigues F, Antunes I. Humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine: Real-world data from a large cohort of healthcare workers. Vaccine 2022; 40:650-655. [PMID: 34952755 PMCID: PMC8664659 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was responsible for the death of millions of people around the world, which accelerated the study of vaccines. The BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 is a messenger RNA vaccine that encodes the spike protein of the virus. However, the duration of the protection conferred by this vaccine and factors associated with immune responses require validation in large cohorts. METHODS Here, we present data of humoral immune response to vaccination in4264 healthcare workers, tested before (T0) and 15 and 90 days (T1 and T2, respectively) following vaccination.Peripheral blood was collected for immunological analysis using the Quant SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) to determine anti-spike IgG, receptor binding domain (RBD), S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2. FINDINGS At T0, 96·8% (n = 4129) of participants had IgG antibodies non-reactive to anti-SARS-CoV-2. Fifteen days after completing the vaccination, the IgG overall median titer was significantly elevated (21·7x103AU/mL). Both for uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses women presented higher antibody levels than men, independent of age. Titers were significantly altered among age groups, decreasing by each increase in 10-year of age. At 3 months after completing the vaccination, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers were 6·3-fold diminished. This real-world post-vaccination data confirmed production of a frequent and elevated anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers, associated with high protection rates. Females and younger participants had higher titer 15 days after vaccination, and despite the significant reduction from 15-to-90 days, those with higher pre-vaccination titers maintained higher levels throughout the remaining timepoints. INTERPRETATION These findings support the need to track humoral immunity kinetics to uncover viral susceptibility and eventually implement re-vaccination, particularly in groups prone to lower humoral immune response. FUNDING No external funding was received to conduct this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Oliveira-Silva
- Department of Occupational Heath, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Teresa Reis
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristiana Lopes
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Batista-Silva
- Department of Occupational Heath, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Ribeiro
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gilberto Marques
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vânia Pacheco
- Department of Occupational Heath, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Tiago Rodrigues
- Department of Occupational Heath, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandre Afonso
- Department of Occupational Heath, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vítor Pinheiro
- Department of Occupational Heath, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lucília Araújo
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernando Rodrigues
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Antunes
- Department of Occupational Heath, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal
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Hassan R, Mohammed S. Evaluation of immunoglobulin G level among subjects vaccinated with different types of COVID-19 vaccines in the karbala population, Iraq. BIOMEDICAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH JOURNAL (BBRJ) 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/bbrj.bbrj_213_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Association between Immunoglobulin G Levels and Adverse Effects Following Vaccination with the BNT162b2 Vaccine among Japanese Healthcare Workers. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9101149. [PMID: 34696257 PMCID: PMC8539103 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to assess the association between the amount of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and the duration of adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccinations in the Japanese population. This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2020 to August 2021 among workers at a community hospital. All participants received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) in March and April 2021. Vaccine side effects were measured using a self-administered questionnaire. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was measured 3 months after vaccination. There was a total of 338 participants (mean age: 44.7 years). The incidence of adverse reactions after vaccination was higher in women. Adverse reactions associated with higher IgG levels included: erythema at the injection site after the first dose; induration and inflammation at the injection site; and systemic symptoms, e.g., fever and headache after the second dose. IgG levels were higher in younger participants. These findings could mitigate fears regarding the mild adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage uptake of the BNT162b2 vaccine.
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Fernandez Lahore G, Förster M, Johannesson M, Sabatier P, Lönnblom E, Aoun M, He Y, Nandakumar KS, Zubarev RA, Holmdahl R. Polymorphic estrogen receptor binding site causes Cd2-dependent sex bias in the susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5565. [PMID: 34552089 PMCID: PMC8458462 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25828-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex autoimmune diseases are sexually dimorphic. An interplay between predisposing genetics and sex-related factors probably controls the sex discrepancy in the immune response, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here we positionally identify a polymorphic estrogen receptor binding site that regulates Cd2 expression, leading to female-specific differences in T cell-dependent mouse models of autoimmunity. Female mice with reduced Cd2 expression have impaired autoreactive T cell responses. T cells lacking Cd2 costimulation upregulate inhibitory Lag-3. These findings help explain sexual dimorphism in human autoimmunity, as we find that CD2 polymorphisms are associated with rheumatoid arthritis and 17-β-estradiol-regulation of CD2 is conserved in human T cells. Hormonal regulation of CD2 might have implications for CD2-targeted therapy, as anti-Cd2 treatment more potently affects T cells in female mice. These results demonstrate the relevance of sex-genotype interactions, providing strong evidence for CD2 as a sex-sensitive predisposing factor in autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonzalo Fernandez Lahore
- Division Medical Inflammation Research, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Michael Förster
- Division Medical Inflammation Research, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Martina Johannesson
- Division Medical Inflammation Research, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pierre Sabatier
- Division of Physiological Chemistry I, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Erik Lönnblom
- Division Medical Inflammation Research, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Mike Aoun
- Division Medical Inflammation Research, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Yibo He
- Division Medical Inflammation Research, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
| | - Kutty Selva Nandakumar
- Division Medical Inflammation Research, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
- SMU-KI United Medical Inflammation Centre, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Roman A Zubarev
- Division of Physiological Chemistry I, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacological & Technological Chemistry, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, 119146, Russia
| | - Rikard Holmdahl
- Division Medical Inflammation Research, Dept. Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden.
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Xibei Hospital), 710004, Xi'an, China.
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Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness about sex-specific differences in immunity and outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Strong evidence of a male bias in COVID-19 disease severity is hypothesized to be mediated by sex differential immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. This hypothesis is based on data from other viral infections, including influenza viruses, HIV, hepatitis viruses, and others that have demonstrated sex-specific immunity to viral infections. Although males are more susceptible to most viral infections, females possess immunological features that render them more vulnerable to distinct immune-related disease outcomes. Both sex chromosome complement and related genes as well as sex steroids play important roles in mediating the development of sex differences in immunity to viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabra L. Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Crooke SN, Goergen KM, Ovsyannikova IG, Kennedy RB. Inflammasome Activity in Response to Influenza Vaccination Is Maintained in Monocyte-Derived Peripheral Blood Macrophages in Older Adults. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2021; 2:719103. [PMID: 35822051 PMCID: PMC9261430 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2021.719103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Each year, a disproportionate number of the total seasonal influenza-related hospitalizations (90%) and deaths (70%) occur among adults who are >65 years old. Inflammasome activation has been shown to be important for protection against influenza infection in animal models but has not yet been demonstrated in humans. We hypothesized that age-related dysfunction (immunosenescence) of the inflammasome may be associated with poor influenza-vaccine response among older adults.Methods: A cohort of younger (18–40 years of age) and older (≥65 years of age) adults was recruited prior to the 2014–2015 influenza season. We measured hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titers in serum before and 28 days after receipt of the seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine. Inflammasome-related gene expression and protein secretion were quantified in monocyte-derived macrophages following stimulation with influenza A/H1N1 virus.Results: Younger adults exhibited higher HAI titers compared to older adults following vaccination, although inflammasome-related protein secretion in response to influenza stimulation was similar between the age groups. Expression of P2RX7 following influenza stimulation was lower among older adults. Interestingly, CFLAR expression was significantly higher among females (p = 2.42 × 10−5) following influenza stimulation and this gene may play an important role in the development of higher HAI antibody titers among older females.Conclusion: Inflammasome activation in response to influenza vaccination appears to be maintained in monocyte-derived macrophages from older adults and does not explain the poor influenza vaccine responses generally observed among this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen N. Crooke
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Krista M. Goergen
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Richard B. Kennedy
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- *Correspondence: Richard B. Kennedy,
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Novoa MB, Sarli M, Reidel IG, Veaute C, Valentini B, Primo ME. Neospora caninum truncated recombinant proteins formulated with liposomes and CpG-ODNs triggered a humoral immune response in cattle after immunisation and challenge. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2021; 238:110285. [PMID: 34146834 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2021.110285] [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: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Abortions caused by Neospora caninum are a serious problem in cattle production and require effective immunoprophylaxis. The objective of this work was to assess the humoral immune response to four recombinant (r) N. caninum antigens in cattle after immunisation and challenge. MIC1 and MIC3 proteins from the micronemes, SRS2 from the surface of tachyzoites, and GRA7 from the dense granules were expressed as truncated recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Cationic liposomes (Lip) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODNs) were used as adjuvant. Steers were assigned to three groups of six steers each and were inoculated twice subcutaneously, 21 days apart. The rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group received the truncated recombinant proteins rMIC1, rMIC3, rSRS2 and rGRA7 formulated with the adjuvant; the Lip + CpG-ODN group received the adjuvant alone; and the PBS group received sterile phosphate-buffered saline. All steers were subcutaneously challenged with the NC-1 strain of N. caninum 35 days after the second dose of immunisation. Steers from the rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group developed specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 against the four recombinant proteins after immunisation. After challenge, IgG against rMIC1 and rMIC3 was detected in rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group and against rSRS2 and rGRA7 in all groups. IgG1 and IgG2 against the four recombinant proteins remained high after challenge in the rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group. Indirect ELISA detected anti-N. caninum antibodies after challenge in all groups, with the highest level of antibodies being detected in the rP + Lip + CpG-ODN group. The recombinant vaccine formulated with rMIC1, rMIC3, rSRS2 and rGRA7 using Lip + CpG-ODN as adjuvant was immunogenic in cattle and the humoral immune response after challenge was enhanced in vaccinated cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Belén Novoa
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Route 34, km 227, 2300, Rafaela, Argentina.
| | - Macarena Sarli
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Route 34, km 227, 2300, Rafaela, Argentina
| | - Ivana Gabriela Reidel
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Carolina Veaute
- Laboratorio de Inmunología Experimental, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, S3000ZAA, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Beatriz Valentini
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Route 34, km 227, 2300, Rafaela, Argentina
| | - María Evangelina Primo
- Instituto de Investigación de la Cadena Láctea (INTA-CONICET), Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Route 34, km 227, 2300, Rafaela, Argentina
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Campesi I, Racagni G, Franconi F. Just a Reflection: Does Drug Repurposing Perpetuate Sex-Gender Bias in the Safety Profile? Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:730. [PMID: 34451827 PMCID: PMC8402096 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines constitute a strategy to reduce the burden of COVID-19, but the treatment of COVID-19 is still a challenge. The lack of approved drugs for severe COVID-19 makes repurposing or repositioning of approved drugs a relevant approach because it occurs at lower costs and in a shorter time. Most preclinical and clinical tests, including safety and pharmacokinetic profiles, were already performed. However, infective and inflammatory diseases such as COVID-19 are linked with hypoalbuminemia and downregulation of both phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters, which can occur in modifications of pharmacokinetics and consequentially of safety profiles. This appears to occur in a sex- and gender-specific way because of the sex and gender differences present in the immune system and inflammation, which, in turn, reflect on pharmacokinetic parameters. Therefore, to make better decisions about drug dosage regimens and to increases the safety profile in patients suffering from infective and inflammatory diseases such as COVID-19, it is urgently needed to study repurposing or repositioning drugs in men and in women paying attention to pharmacokinetics, especially for those drugs that are previously scarcely evaluated in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Campesi
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- National Laboratory of Pharmacology and Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystem, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Racagni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Flavia Franconi
- National Laboratory of Pharmacology and Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructure and Biosystem, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
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Corda V, Murgia F, Monni G. COVID-19 vaccine: the gender disparity. J Perinat Med 2021; 49:723-724. [PMID: 34116590 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Corda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Pediatric Hospital "A. Cao", Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
| | - Federica Murgia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Pediatric Hospital "A. Cao", Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Monni
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Prenatal and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis, Fetal Therapy, Microcitemico Pediatric Hospital "A. Cao", Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy
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Antibody responses after documented COVID-19 disease in patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease. Clin Rheumatol 2021; 40:4665-4670. [PMID: 34155573 PMCID: PMC8216872 DOI: 10.1007/s10067-021-05801-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD) are suspected to have less robust immune responses during COVID-19 due to underlying immune dysfunction and the use of immune-suppressive drugs. Fifty consecutive patients with a diagnosis of AIRD on disease-modifying drugs were included at around 30 days after a confirmatory test for COVID-19. Fifty controls matched one to one for age, sex, and severity of COVID-19 were also included at around 30 days after testing positive for COVID-19. Antibody titers for anti-spike protein IgG and anti-nucleocapsid protein IgG were estimated. Cases (mean age 45.9 ± 13; 76% females) and controls (mean age 45.9 ± 13; 76% females) had similar proportion of comorbidities. Of the cases, 4 had moderate and 1 had severe COVID-19, while 3 and 1 of controls had moderate and severe COVID-19 respectively. Positivity of anti-N IgG was similar between patients (80%) and controls (90%) (p = 0.26). Similarly, anti-S IgG was positive in 82% of patients and 86% of controls (p = 0.79). Both the antibodies were negative in seven (14%) patients and five (10%) of controls (p = 0.76, Fischer exact test). Only anti-N IgG titers were lower in patients as compared to controls. In four patients with rheumatoid arthritis, two with spondyloarthritis and one with eosinophilic fasciitis both antibodies were not detectable. They did not differ from the rest of the cohort in clinical characteristics. The patients with AIRD had adequate protective antibody responses to COVID-19 at a median of 30 days post-infection. Thus, the presence of AIRD or the use of immunosuppressants does not seem to influence the development of humoral immune response against COVID-19. Key Points • Patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRD) are suspected to have less robust immune responses. • In our cohort of 50 patients with AIRD with confirmed COVID-19, only seven did not have detectable protective antibodies at 30 days post infection. • Patients with AIRD on immunosuppressants have adequate protective antibodies post COVID-19 disease, at rates similar to that in health controls. |
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Pegiou S, Rentzeperi E, Koufakis T, Metallidis S, Kotsa K. The role of sexual dimorphism in susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection, disease severity, and mortality: facts, controversies and future perspectives. Microbes Infect 2021; 23:104850. [PMID: 34129909 PMCID: PMC8196472 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2021.104850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Former studies have revealed intersex variability in immune response to infectious diseases, including Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Epidemiological surveillance of the ongoing pandemic has demonstrated a male vulnerability to morbidity and mortality, despite similar infection rates between the two sexes. Divergence in the frequency of comorbidities between males and females, differences in hormonal profile, chromosomal composition and gender behavior have all been proposed as potential causative factors. Data deriving from the immunization process indirectly support the existence of a sex-specific response to SARS-CoV-2, since females apparently produce higher numbers of antibodies while simultaneously exhibiting higher rates of side effects, indicating a stronger immune reactivity to the vaccine's elements. Interpreting intersex differences in immune response to SARS-CoV-2 could lead to a deeper understanding of the COVID-19 pathophysiology and enable healthcare professionals to conduct a more accurate patient risk assessment and better predict the clinical outcome of the disease. This narrative review aims to discuss the pathophysiological and behavioral basis of the disproportionate male morbidity and mortality observed in COVID-19, in the context of most research findings in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavroula Pegiou
- Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Theocharis Koufakis
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and Diabetes Center, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Symeon Metallidis
- Infectious Diseases Division, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Kotsa
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and Diabetes Center, First Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA University Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Migliore L, Nicolì V, Stoccoro A. Gender Specific Differences in Disease Susceptibility: The Role of Epigenetics. Biomedicines 2021; 9:652. [PMID: 34200989 PMCID: PMC8228628 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many complex traits or diseases, such as infectious and autoimmune diseases, cancer, xenobiotics exposure, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as the outcome of vaccination, show a differential susceptibility between males and females. In general, the female immune system responds more efficiently to pathogens. However, this can lead to over-reactive immune responses, which may explain the higher presence of autoimmune diseases in women, but also potentially the more adverse effects of vaccination in females compared with in males. Many clinical and epidemiological studies reported, for the SARS-CoV-2 infection, a gender-biased differential response; however, the majority of reports dealt with a comparable morbidity, with males, however, showing higher COVID-19 adverse outcomes. Although gender differences in immune responses have been studied predominantly within the context of sex hormone effects, some other mechanisms have been invoked: cellular mosaicism, skewed X chromosome inactivation, genes escaping X chromosome inactivation, and miRNAs encoded on the X chromosome. The hormonal hypothesis as well as other mechanisms will be examined and discussed in the light of the most recent epigenetic findings in the field, as the concept that epigenetics is the unifying mechanism in explaining gender-specific differences is increasingly emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Migliore
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Nicolì
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrea Stoccoro
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, Medical School, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.N.); (A.S.)
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64
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Sun Q, Fathy R, McMahon DE, Freeman EE. COVID-19 Vaccines and the Skin: The Landscape of Cutaneous Vaccine Reactions Worldwide. Dermatol Clin 2021; 39:653-673. [PMID: 34556254 PMCID: PMC8165093 DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2021.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Qisi Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ramie Fathy
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Devon E McMahon
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Esther E Freeman
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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65
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Wehbe Z, Hammoud SH, Yassine HM, Fardoun M, El-Yazbi AF, Eid AH. Molecular and Biological Mechanisms Underlying Gender Differences in COVID-19 Severity and Mortality. Front Immunol 2021; 12:659339. [PMID: 34025658 PMCID: PMC8138433 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.659339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, over two million people have perished due to the recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. The available epidemiological global data for SARS-CoV-2 portrays a higher rate of severity and mortality in males. Analyzing gender differences in the host mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection and progression may offer insight into the more detrimental disease prognosis and clinical outcome in males. Therefore, we outline sexual dimorphisms which exist in particular host factors and elaborate on how they may contribute to the pronounced severity in male COVID-19 patients. This includes disparities detected in comorbidities, the ACE2 receptor, renin-angiotensin system (RAS), signaling molecules involved in SARS-CoV-2 replication, proteases which prime viral S protein, the immune response, and behavioral considerations. Moreover, we discuss sexual disparities associated with other viruses and a possible gender-dependent response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. By specifically highlighting these immune-endocrine processes as well as behavioral factors that differentially exist between the genders, we aim to offer a better understanding in the variations of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zena Wehbe
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Safaa Hisham Hammoud
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Manal Fardoun
- Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ahmed F. El-Yazbi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ali H. Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, Qatar University Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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66
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Yang J, Huang X, Zhang J, Fan R, Zhao W, Han T, Duan K, Li X, Zeng P, Deng J, Zhang J, Yang X. Sex-specific differences of humoral immunity and transcriptome diversification in older adults vaccinated with inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccines. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:9801-9819. [PMID: 33744852 PMCID: PMC8064175 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202733] [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: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Clinical data showed sex variability in the immune response to influenza vaccination, this study aimed to investigate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that contribute to sex-bias immunity to quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (QIVs) in the elderly. 60 healthy adults aged 60-80 yrs were vaccinated with QIVs, and gene expression was analyzed before and after vaccination. The humoral immunity was analyzed by HAI assay, and the correlation of gene expression patterns of two sex groups with humoral immunity was analyzed. The DEGs involved in type I interferon signaling pathway and complement activation of classical pathway were upregulated within 3 days in females. At Day 28, the immune response showed a male-bias pattern associated with the regulation of protein processing and complement activation of classical pathway. A list of DEGs associated with variant responses to influenza vaccination between females and males were identified by biology-driven clustering. Old females have a greater immune response to QIVs but a rapid antibody decline, while old males have the advantages to sustain a durable response. In addition, we identified genes that may contribute to the sex variations toward influenza vaccination in the aged. Our findings highlight the importance of developing personalized seasonal influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Huang
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jiayou Zhang
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Renfeng Fan
- Guangdong Province Institute of Biological Products and Materia Medica, Guangzhou 510440, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Tian Han
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Kai Duan
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xinguo Li
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Peiyu Zeng
- Gaozhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Maoming 525200, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jinglong Deng
- Gaozhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Maoming 525200, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jikai Zhang
- Guangdong Province Institute of Biological Products and Materia Medica, Guangzhou 510440, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,China Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Peking 100029, China
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Tejada-Pérez JJ, Vázquez-Vicente JJ, Herrera-Burgos MR, Martín-Martín FG, Parrón-Carreño T, Alarcón-Rodríguez R. Fendrix ® Vaccine Effectiveness in Healthcare Workers Who Are Non-Responsive to Engerix B ® Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9030279. [PMID: 33808589 PMCID: PMC8003400 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a pathogen virus with transmission mechanisms that include contact with the infected blood or bodily fluids of the infected organism. Nowadays, healthcare workers are one of the most exposed groups to HBV. Conventionally, completing a vaccine series dosage with Engerix B® lowers this risk by providing workers with immunity to the virus. However, through the years, we have encountered nonresponsive health personnel to the Engerix B® vaccine; hence, the Occupational Health Service of Poniente Hospital studied the Fendrix® adjuvanted vaccine as an alternative vaccine to develop immunological responses in healthcare workers who do not respond to vaccination with Engerix B®. In our study, we employed a vaccination schedule with the Fendrix® vaccine, performing serology tests on the cases after the application of each dose. The results obtained showed humoral immunity in 92.3% of the cases, with a remarkable increase in antibody titer after the first doses. These encouraging results support the future inclusion of this vaccine as one possible alternative for the immunization to HBV for healthcare workers nonresponsive to Engerix B®.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan José Tejada-Pérez
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, Carr. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 La Cañada, Almeria, Spain; (T.P.-C.); (R.A.-R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Juan José Vázquez-Vicente
- Risk Prevention Service, Poniente Hospital Entrepreneurial Public Health Agency, Ctra Almerimar, 31, 04700 El Ejido, Almeria, Spain; (J.J.V.-V.); (M.R.H.-B.); (F.G.M.-M.)
| | - María Renée Herrera-Burgos
- Risk Prevention Service, Poniente Hospital Entrepreneurial Public Health Agency, Ctra Almerimar, 31, 04700 El Ejido, Almeria, Spain; (J.J.V.-V.); (M.R.H.-B.); (F.G.M.-M.)
| | - Francisco Gabriel Martín-Martín
- Risk Prevention Service, Poniente Hospital Entrepreneurial Public Health Agency, Ctra Almerimar, 31, 04700 El Ejido, Almeria, Spain; (J.J.V.-V.); (M.R.H.-B.); (F.G.M.-M.)
| | - Tesifón Parrón-Carreño
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, Carr. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 La Cañada, Almeria, Spain; (T.P.-C.); (R.A.-R.)
| | - Raquel Alarcón-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almería, Carr. Sacramento, s/n, 04120 La Cañada, Almeria, Spain; (T.P.-C.); (R.A.-R.)
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68
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Albracht CD, Hreha TN, Hunstad DA. Sex effects in pyelonephritis. Pediatr Nephrol 2021; 36:507-515. [PMID: 32040629 PMCID: PMC7415591 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-020-04492-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are generally considered a disease of women. However, UTIs affect females throughout the lifespan, and certain male populations (including infants and elderly men) are also susceptible. Epidemiologically, pyelonephritis is more common in women but carries increased morbidity when it does occur in men. Among children, high-grade vesicoureteral reflux is a primary risk factor for upper-tract UTI in both sexes. However, among young infants with UTI, girls are outnumbered by boys; risk factors include posterior urethral valves and lack of circumcision. Recent advances in mouse models of UTI reveal sex differences in innate responses to UTI, which vary somewhat depending on the system used. Moreover, male mice and androgenized female mice suffer worse outcomes in experimental pyelonephritis; evidence suggests that androgen exposure may suppress innate control of infection in the urinary tract, but additional androgen effects, as well as non-hormonal sex effects, may yet be specified. Among other intriguing directions, recent experiments raise the hypothesis that the postnatal testosterone surge that occurs in male infants may represent an additional factor driving the higher incidence of UTI in males under 6 months of age. Ongoing work in contemporary models will further illuminate sex- and sex-hormone-specific effects on UTI pathogenesis and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton D Albracht
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8208, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Teri N Hreha
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8208, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - David A Hunstad
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8208, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8230, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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69
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Robertson SN, Cameron AI, Morales PR, Burnside WM. West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in an Outdoor Nonhuman Primate Breeding Colony in South Florida. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2021; 60:168-175. [PMID: 33441221 PMCID: PMC7974820 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-20-000029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) was first detected in Florida in July 2001, with 404 human cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as of February 2020. The subtropical climate of Florida is ideal for the mosquitoes that transmit WNV. We investigated the WNV seroprevalence in 3 NHP species housed outdoors at The Mannheimer Foundation in South Florida. From January to December 2016, 520 3 to 30 y old NHP were sampled at our 2 closed sites in Homestead and LaBelle: 200 rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), 212 cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), and 108 hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas hamadryas). The presence of WNV IgG antibodies in these animals was determined by serum neutralization assays, which found a total seroprevalence of 14%. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in the baboons (29%) than the rhesus (11%) and cynomolgus (9%) macaques. The probability of seropositivity significantly increased with age, but sex and site did not significantly affect seroprevalence. The frequency of WNV seropositivity detected in these outdoor-housed NHP suggests that screening for WNV and other vector-borne diseases may be necessary prior to experimental use, particularly for infectious disease studies in which viremia or viral antibodies could confound results, and especially for populations housed outdoors in warm, wet climates. As no seropositive subjects demonstrated clinical signs of WNV and WNV exposure did not appear to significantly impact colony health, routine testing is likely unnecessary for most NHP colonies. However, WNV infection should still be considered as a differential diagnosis for any NHP presenting with nonspecific neurologic signs. Mosquito abatement plans and vigilant sanitation practices to further decrease mosquito and avian interaction with research NHP should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angus I Cameron
- School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Florida SouthWestern State College, LaBelle, Florida
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70
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Singh RS, Singh KK, Singh SM. Origin of Sex-Biased Mental Disorders: An Evolutionary Perspective. J Mol Evol 2021; 89:195-213. [PMID: 33630117 PMCID: PMC8116267 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-021-09999-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism or sex bias in diseases and mental disorders have two biological causes: sexual selection and sex hormones. We review the role of sexual selection theory and bring together decades of molecular studies on the variation and evolution of sex-biased genes and provide a theoretical basis for the causes of sex bias in disease and health. We present a Sexual Selection-Sex Hormone theory and show that male-driven evolution, including sexual selection, leads to: (1) increased male vulnerability due to negative pleiotropic effects associated with male-driven sexual selection and evolution; (2) increased rates of male-driven mutations and epimutations in response to early fitness gains and at the cost of late fitness; and (3) enhanced female immunity due to antagonistic responses to mutations that are beneficial to males but harmful to females, reducing female vulnerability to diseases and increasing the thresholds for disorders such as autism. Female-driven evolution, such as reproduction-related fluctuation in female sex hormones in association with stress and social condition, has been shown to be associated with increased risk of certain mental disorders such as major depression disorder in women. Bodies have history, cells have memories. An evolutionary framework, such as the Sexual Selection–Sex Hormone theory, provides a historical perspective for understanding how the differences in the sex-biased diseases and mental disorders have evolved over time. It has the potential to direct the development of novel preventive and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rama S Singh
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
| | - Karun K Singh
- Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.,Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Shiva M Singh
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
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71
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Youness A, Miquel CH, Guéry JC. Escape from X Chromosome Inactivation and the Female Predominance in Autoimmune Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22031114. [PMID: 33498655 PMCID: PMC7865432 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Women represent 80% of people affected by autoimmune diseases. Although, many studies have demonstrated a role for sex hormone receptor signaling, particularly estrogens, in the direct regulation of innate and adaptive components of the immune system, recent data suggest that female sex hormones are not the only cause of the female predisposition to autoimmunity. Besides sex steroid hormones, growing evidence points towards the role of X-linked genetic factors. In female mammals, one of the two X chromosomes is randomly inactivated during embryonic development, resulting in a cellular mosaicism, where about one-half of the cells in a given tissue express either the maternal X chromosome or the paternal one. X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is however not complete and 15 to 23% of genes from the inactive X chromosome (Xi) escape XCI, thereby contributing to the emergence of a female-specific heterogeneous population of cells with bi-allelic expression of some X-linked genes. Although the direct contribution of this genetic mechanism in the female susceptibility to autoimmunity still remains to be established, the cellular mosaicism resulting from XCI escape is likely to create a unique functional plasticity within female immune cells. Here, we review recent findings identifying key immune related genes that escape XCI and the relationship between gene dosage imbalance and functional responsiveness in female cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Youness
- Infinity-Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, 31300 Toulouse, France; (A.Y.); (C.-H.M.)
| | - Charles-Henry Miquel
- Infinity-Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, 31300 Toulouse, France; (A.Y.); (C.-H.M.)
- Arthritis R&D, 92200 Neuilly-Sur-Seine, France
| | - Jean-Charles Guéry
- Infinity-Toulouse Institute for Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, 31300 Toulouse, France; (A.Y.); (C.-H.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-5-62-74-83-78; Fax: +33-5-62-74-45-58
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72
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Jiang R, Liu X, Sun X, Wang J, Huang Z, Li C, Li Z, Zhou J, Pu Y, Ying Z, Yin Q, Zhao Z, Zhang L, Lei J, Bao W, Jiang Y, Dou Y, Li J, Yang H, Cai W, Deng Y, Che Y, Shi L, Sun M. Immunogenicity and safety of the inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine made from Sabin strains in a phase IV clinical trial for the vaccination of a large population. Vaccine 2021; 39:1463-1471. [PMID: 33487470 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
As a recently launched novel vaccine used as one of the vaccines for the final eradication of polios worldwide, complete data on the consistency and immunogenicity characteristics of the inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine made from the Sabin strain (sIPV) and its safety in large-scale populations are required to support the future use of this vaccine worldwide. A phase IV clinical trial was conducted to perform an immunogenicity evaluation of lot-to-lot consistency of three commercial batches of sIPV in 1200 infants and to investigate the vaccine's safety on a large-scale in 20,019 infants for active monitoring and 29,683 infants for passive monitoring through the Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) reporting system in China. In the immunogenicity evaluation, the average seroconversion rates for type I, type II and type III of the three groups were 99.83%, 98.93% and 99.44%, respectively. No differences in the seroconversion rate and the GMT ratios were noted in the pair-to-pair comparisons. In the large-scale safety evaluation, most adverse reactions occurred 0-30 days after the first doses, and the common local and systemic reactions were similar to those in the phase III clinical trial, with low incidence in both activated and passive monitoring. In conclusion, sIPV exhibits good lot-to-lot consistency and safety in large-scale populations; thus, it is qualified to serve as one of the vaccines for use in eradicating all wild and vaccine-derived polioviruses worldwide in the near future. Clinic Trial Registration. NCT04224519 and NCT04220515.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiju Jiang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development on Severe Infections Diseases, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Liu
- Vaccine Clinical Research Center, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianfeng Wang
- Division of Respiratory Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoying Huang
- Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
| | - Changgui Li
- Division of Respiratory Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Shanghai Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jianmei Zhou
- Mile Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Mile, Yunnan, China
| | - Yi Pu
- Gejiu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Gejiu, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhifang Ying
- Division of Respiratory Virus Vaccines, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Qiongzhou Yin
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhimei Zhao
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Lifeng Zhang
- Vaccine Clinical Research Center, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jing Lei
- Gejiu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Gejiu, Yunnan, China
| | - Wenmei Bao
- Gejiu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Gejiu, Yunnan, China
| | - Ya Jiang
- Mile Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Mile, Yunnan, China
| | - Youjian Dou
- Mile Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Mile, Yunnan, China
| | - Jingyu Li
- Vaccine Clinical Research Center, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Haitao Yang
- Vaccine Clinical Research Center, Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Wei Cai
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development on Severe Infections Diseases, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Yan Deng
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Yanchun Che
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Li Shi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Mingbo Sun
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development on Severe Infections Diseases, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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73
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Palmer R, Walker T, Perales R, Rincon R, Jaén C, Miller C. Disease comorbidities associated with chemical intolerance. ENVIRONMENTAL DISEASE 2021. [DOI: 10.4103/ed.ed_18_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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74
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Tramontana F, Battisti S, Napoli N, Strollo R. Immuno-Endocrinology of COVID-19: The Key Role of Sex Hormones. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:726696. [PMID: 34925228 PMCID: PMC8675353 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.726696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence shows clear gender disparities in the Coronavirus 2019 Disease (COVID-19) severity and fatality. This may reflect the contribution of gender-related factors, such as sex hormones, to COVID-19 pathogenesis. However, the mechanism linking gender disparities to COVID-19 severity is still poorly understood. In this review, we will pinpoint several elements involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis that are regulated by the two main sex hormones, estrogen and androgen. These include tissue specific gene regulation of SARS-CoV2 entry factors, innate and adaptive immune responses to infection, immunometabolism, and susceptibility to tissue injury by cytopathic effect or hyper-inflammatory response. We will discuss the mechanistic link between sex hormone regulation of COVID-19 pathogenetic factors and disease severity. Finally, we will summarize current evidence from clinical studies and trials targeting sex hormones and their signalling in COVID-19. A better understanding of the role of sex hormones in COVID-19 may identify targets for therapeutic intervention and allow optimization of treatment outcomes towards gender-based personalised medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Tramontana
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Sofia Battisti
- Radiology Department, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Romagna M. Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy
- Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori (IRST) Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Meldola, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale (DIMES), Alma Mater Studiorum-Universita di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Nicola Napoli
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Endocrinology & Diabetes, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Rocky Strollo
- Department of Science and Technology for Humans and the Environment, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Rocky Strollo,
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Schaefer AL, Ceesay M, Leier JA, Tesch J, Wisenden BD, Pandey S. Factors Contributing to Sex Differences in Mice Inhaling Aspergillus fumigatus. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E8851. [PMID: 33260764 PMCID: PMC7729525 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Aspergillus fumigatus is a respiratory fungal pathogen and an allergen, commonly detected in flooded indoor environments and agricultural settings. Previous studies in Balb/c mice showed that repeated inhalation of live and dry A. fumigatus spores, without any adjuvant, elevated allergic immune response and airway remodeling. Sex-specific differences can influence host-pathogen interactions and allergic-asthma related outcomes. However, the effect of host sex on immune response, in the context of A. fumigatus exposure, remains unknown. In this study, we quantified the multivariate and univariate immune response of C57BL/6J mice to live, dry airborne A. fumigatus spores. Our results corroborate previous results in Balb/c mice that repeated inhalation of live A. fumigatus spores is sufficient to induce mucus production and inflammation by day 3 post last challenge, and antibody titers and collagen production by day 28 post-challenge. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that females exhibited significantly higher levels of immune components than males did. Taken together, our data indicate that host-sex is an important factor in shaping the immune response against A. fumigatus, and must be considered when modeling disease in animals, in designing diagnostics and therapeutics for A. fumigatus-associated diseases or while drafting evidence-based guidelines for safe mold levels.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sumali Pandey
- Biosciences Department, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Moorhead, 56563 MN, USA; (A.L.S.); (M.C.); (J.A.L.); (J.T.); (B.D.W.)
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76
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Yao Y, Xu X, Li Y, Wang X, Yang H, Chen J, Liu S, Deng Y, Zhao Z, Yin Q, Sun M, Shi L. Study of the association of seventeen single nucleotide polymorphisms and their haplotypes in the TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 genes with the antibody response to inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:2449-2455. [PMID: 32186960 PMCID: PMC7644173 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1724743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
To investigate whether the TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 genes contribute to variations in vaccine-induced immune responses after immunization with the inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccine (IJEV), a total of 369 individuals who received the IJEV were enrolled. Based on Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) neutralization antibodies (NAbs), the individuals were divided into seropositive (SP) and seronegative (SN) groups. Then, 17 SNPs in the TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 genes were genotyped using the TaqMan method. Although there was no association of the TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 genes with JEV seropositivity triggered by JEV vaccination when all the individuals in the SP and SN groups were compared, differences were observed in a subgroup analysis. In the male group, rs2243291 in the IL-4 gene showed a difference between the JEV SP and SN groups with the overdominant model (P = .045), and the C/G genotypes conferred more JEV seropositivity (OR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.01-3.49); the CT genotype of rs3093726 in the TNF-α gene showed higher JEV NAbs geometric mean titer (GMT) than the TT genotype (P = .018, CT: 1.677 ± 0.144 vs TT: 1.271 ± 0.039). Furthermore, the rs1800629 genotype in the TNF-α gene and the rs1800896 genotype in the IL-10 gene exhibited a trend of association with JEV seropositivity in the female group, but the difference was not significant. The present study suggested that the polymorphisms in the cytokine genes could be associated with sex-specific JEV NAbs seroconversion. However, more samples should be studied, and further functional verification should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Yao
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China
| | - Xiuwen Xu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China
| | - Yaheng Li
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China
| | - Xiaona Wang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China
| | - Huijuan Yang
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research, Development on Severe Infectious Disease , Kunming, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China
| | - Shuyuan Liu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China
| | - Yan Deng
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research, Development on Severe Infectious Disease , Kunming, China
| | - Zhimei Zhao
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research, Development on Severe Infectious Disease , Kunming, China
| | - Qiongzhou Yin
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research, Development on Severe Infectious Disease , Kunming, China
| | - Mingbo Sun
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research, Development on Severe Infectious Disease , Kunming, China
| | - Li Shi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College , Kunming, China
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78
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Gudjonsson JE, Kabashima K, Eyerich K. Mechanisms of skin autoimmunity: Cellular and soluble immune components of the skin. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020; 146:8-16. [PMID: 32631499 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are driven by either T cells or antibodies reacting specifically to 1 or more self-antigens. Although a number of self-antigens associated with skin diseases have been identified, the causative antigen(s) remains unknown in the great majority of skin diseases suspected to be autoimmune driven. Model diseases such as pemphigus, dermatitis herpetiformis, and more recently psoriasis have added greatly to our understanding of skin autoimmunity. Depending on the dominant T- or B-cell phenotype, skin autoimmune diseases usually follow 1 of 6 immune response patterns: lichenoid, eczematous, bullous, psoriatic, fibrogenic, or granulomatous. Usually, skin autoimmunity develops as a consequence of several events-an altered microbiome, inherited dysfunctional immunity, antigens activating innate immunity, epigenetic modifications, sex predisposition, and impact of antigens either as neoantigen or through molecular mimicry. This review summarizes currently known antigens of skin autoimmune diseases and discusses mechanisms of skin autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenji Kabashima
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kilian Eyerich
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine Solna, and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Unit of Dermatology, Karolinska University Hospital, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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79
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Casali P, Shen T, Xu Y, Qiu Z, Chupp DP, Im J, Xu Z, Zan H. Estrogen Reverses HDAC Inhibitor-Mediated Repression of Aicda and Class-Switching in Antibody and Autoantibody Responses by Downregulation of miR-26a. Front Immunol 2020; 11:491. [PMID: 32265934 PMCID: PMC7105609 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen contributes to females' strong antibody response to microbial vaccines and proneness to autoimmunity, particularly antibody-mediated systemic autoimmunity, in females. We have hypothesized that this is due to estrogen-mediated potentiation of class switch DNA recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM). As we have shown, estrogen boosts AID expression, which is critical for both CSR and SHM, through upregulation of HoxC4, which together with NF-κB critically mediates Aicda (AID gene) promoter activation. We contend here that additional regulation of Aicda expression by estrogen occurs through epigenetic mechanisms. As we have shown, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate and propionate as well as the pharmacologic HDI valproic acid upregulate miRNAs that silence AID expression, thereby modulating specific antibody responses in C57BL/6 mice and autoantibody responses in lupus-prone MRL/Faslpr/lpr mice. Here, using constitutive knockout Esr1-/- mice and B cells as well as conditional knockout Aicdacre/creEsr1flox/flox mice and B cells, we showed that the HDI-mediated downregulation of Aicda expression as well as the maturation of antibody and autoantibody responses is reversed by estrogen and enhanced by deletion of ERα or E2 inhibition. Estrogen's reversion of HDI-mediated inhibition of Aicda and CSR in antibody and autoantibody responses occurred through downregulation of B cell miR-26a, which, as we showed, targets Aicda mRNA 3'UTR. miR-26a was significantly upregulated by HDIs. Accordingly, enforced expression of miR-26a reduced Aicda expression and CSR, while miR-26a-sponges (competitive inhibitors of miR-26a) increased Aicda expression and CSR. Thus, our findings show that estrogen reverses the HDI-mediated downregulation of AID expression and CSR through selective modulation of miR-26a. They also provide mechanistic insights into the immunomodulatory activity of this hormone and a proof-of-principle for using combined ER inhibitor-HDI as a potential therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Casali
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hong Zan
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Long School of Medicine, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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Abstract
The adaptive immune response to influenza virus infection is multifaceted and complex, involving antibody and cellular responses at both systemic and mucosal levels. Immune responses to natural infection with influenza virus in humans are relatively broad and long-lived, but influenza viruses can escape from these responses over time owing to their high mutation rates and antigenic flexibility. Vaccines are the best available countermeasure against infection, but vaccine effectiveness is low compared with other viral vaccines, and the induced immune response is narrow and short-lived. Furthermore, inactivated influenza virus vaccines focus on the induction of systemic IgG responses but do not effectively induce mucosal IgA responses. Here, I review the differences between natural infection and vaccination in terms of the antibody responses they induce and how these responses protect against future infection. A better understanding of how natural infection induces broad and long-lived immune responses will be key to developing next-generation influenza virus vaccines.
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81
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Age-associated changes in the impact of sex steroids on influenza vaccine responses in males and females. NPJ Vaccines 2019; 4:29. [PMID: 31312529 PMCID: PMC6626024 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-019-0124-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced immunity declines with age, which may differ between males and females. Using human sera collected before and 21 days after receipt of the monovalent A/Cal/09 H1N1 vaccine, we evaluated cytokine and antibody responses in adult (18-45 years) and aged (65+ years) individuals. After vaccination, adult females developed greater IL-6 and antibody responses than either adult males or aged females, with female antibody responses being positively associated with concentrations of estradiol. To test whether protection against influenza virus challenge was greater in females than males, we primed and boosted adult (8-10 weeks) and aged (68-70 weeks) male and female mice with an inactivated A/Cal/09 H1N1 vaccine or no vaccine and challenged with a drift variant A/Cal/09 virus. As compared with unvaccinated mice, vaccinated adult, but not aged, mice experienced less morbidity and better pulmonary viral clearance following challenge, regardless of sex. Vaccinated adult female mice developed antibody responses that were of greater quantity and quality and more protective than vaccinated adult males. Sex differences in vaccine efficacy diminished with age in mice. To determine the role of sex steroids in vaccine-induced immune responses, adult mice were gonadectomized and hormones (estradiol in females and testosterone in males) were replaced in subsets of animals before vaccination. Vaccine-induced antibody responses were increased in females by estradiol and decreased in males by testosterone. The benefit of elevated estradiol on antibody responses and protection against influenza in females is diminished with age in both mice and humans.
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82
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Laffont S, Guéry JC. Deconstructing the sex bias in allergy and autoimmunity: From sex hormones and beyond. Adv Immunol 2019; 142:35-64. [PMID: 31296302 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Men and women differ in their susceptibility to develop autoimmunity and allergy but also in their capacity to cope with infections. Mechanisms responsible for this sexual dimorphism are still poorly documented and probably multifactorial. This review discusses the recent development in our understanding of the cell-intrinsic actions of biological factors linked to sex, sex hormones and sex chromosome complement, on immune cells, which may account for the sex differences in the enhanced susceptibility of women to develop immunological disorders, such as allergic asthma or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We choose to more specifically discuss the impact of sex hormones on the development and function of immune cell populations directly involved in type-2 immunity, and the role of the X-linked Toll like receptor 7 (TLR7) in anti-viral immunity and in SLE. We will also elaborate on the recent evidence demonstrating that TLR7 escapes from X chromosome inactivation in the immune cells of women, and how this may contribute to endow woman immune system with enhanced responsiveness to RNA-virus and susceptibility to SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Laffont
- Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Charles Guéry
- Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan (CPTP), Université de Toulouse, INSERM, CNRS, UPS, Toulouse, France.
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83
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Windon MJ, Waterboer T, Hillel AT, Chien W, Best S, Stewart C, Akst L, Troy T, Bender N, Miles B, Ryan WR, Mandal R, Pitman K, Eisele DW, Fakhry C, D'Souza G. Sex differences in HPV immunity among adults without cancer. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 15:1935-1941. [PMID: 30650013 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1568157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck cancers is rising, particularly among men. Whether observed epidemiological differences in sex are explained by differences in sexual exposure and/or by immune response is unclear. In this cross-sectional, multi-institutional study, seroprevalence of antibodies to HPV L1 capsid antigen was compared by patient characteristics among 374 adult patients without cancer. A significantly higher seroprevalence was observed among women compared with men for HPV16 (OR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.21-7.21) and HPV18 (OR = 2.84, 95% CI = 1.06-7.60) L1 antibodies. This difference persisted for HPV16 after controlling for lifetime and recent sexual behavior. After controlling for sex, HPV16 and HPV18 L1 seroprevalence was also significantly associated with higher number of lifetime (HPV16 OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01-1.08; HPV18 OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.08) and recent (HPV16 OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.15-2.07; HPV18 OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.07-1.82) oral but not vaginal sexual partners. These findings potentially suggest a more robust immune response to HPV16/18 among women compared with men that may not be explained by differences in number of sexual partners, and thereby presumably HPV exposure. The independent association of HPV16/18 L1 seroprevalence with higher number of oral sexual partners suggests a possible role for site of mucosal exposure in the HPV immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina J Windon
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Tim Waterboer
- b Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Alexander T Hillel
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Wade Chien
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Simon Best
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Charles Stewart
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Lee Akst
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Tanya Troy
- c Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Noemi Bender
- b Infections and Cancer Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) , Heidelberg , Germany
| | - Brett Miles
- d Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , NY , USA
| | - William R Ryan
- e Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Francisco , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - Rajarsi Mandal
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Karen Pitman
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - David W Eisele
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Carole Fakhry
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA.,c Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA.,f Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | - Gypsyamber D'Souza
- a Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA.,c Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
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84
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Voigt EA, Ovsyannikova IG, Kennedy RB, Grill DE, Goergen KM, Schaid DJ, Poland GA. Sex Differences in Older Adults' Immune Responses to Seasonal Influenza Vaccination. Front Immunol 2019; 10:180. [PMID: 30873150 PMCID: PMC6400991 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Sex differences in immune responses to influenza vaccine may impact efficacy across populations. Methods: In a cohort of 138 older adults (50-74 years old), we measured influenza A/H1N1 antibody titers, B-cell ELISPOT response, PBMC transcriptomics, and PBMC cell compositions at 0, 3, and 28 days post-immunization with the 2010/11 seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine. Results: We identified higher B-cell ELISPOT responses in females than males. Potential mechanisms for sex effects were identified in four gene clusters related to T, NK, and B cells. Mediation analysis indicated that sex-dependent expression in T and NK cell genes can be partially attributed to higher CD4+ T cell and lower NK cell fractions in females. We identified strong sex effects in 135 B cell genes whose expression correlates with ELISPOT measures, and found that cell subset differences did not explain the effect of sex on these genes' expression. Post-vaccination expression of these genes, however, mediated 41% of the sex effect on ELISPOT responses. Conclusions: These results improve our understanding of sexual dimorphism in immunity and influenza vaccine response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A. Voigt
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Richard B. Kennedy
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Diane E. Grill
- Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Krista M. Goergen
- Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Daniel J. Schaid
- Division of Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Gregory A. Poland
- Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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85
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Goodwin SF, Howlett SE. Editorial overview: Daylighting sex differences in physiology. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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86
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Biological sex affects vaccine efficacy and protection against influenza in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:12477-12482. [PMID: 30455317 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1805268115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological sex affects adaptive immune responses, which could impact influenza infection and vaccine efficacy. Infection of mice with 2009 H1N1 induced antibody responses, CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell memory responses that were greater in females than males; both sexes, however, were equally protected against secondary challenge with an H1N1 drift variant virus. To test whether greater antibody in females is sufficient for protection against influenza, males and females were immunized with an inactivated H1N1 vaccine that induced predominantly antibody-mediated immunity. Following vaccination, females had greater antibody responses and protection against challenge with an H1N1 drift variant virus than males. Antibody derived from vaccinated females was better at protecting both naïve males and females than antibody from males, and this protection was associated with increased antibody specificity and avidity to the H1N1 virus. The expression of Tlr7 was greater in B cells from vaccinated females than males and was associated with reduced DNA methylation in the Tlr7 promoter region, higher neutralizing antibody, class switch recombination, and antibody avidity in females. Deletion of Tlr7 reduced sex differences in vaccine-induced antibody responses and protection following challenge and had a greater impact on responses in females than males. Taken together, these data illustrate that greater TLR7 activation and antibody production in females improves the efficacy of vaccination against influenza.
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87
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Female predisposition to TLR7-driven autoimmunity: gene dosage and the escape from X chromosome inactivation. Semin Immunopathol 2018; 41:153-164. [PMID: 30276444 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-018-0712-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Women develop stronger immune responses than men, with positive effects on the resistance to viral or bacterial infections but magnifying also the susceptibility to autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In SLE, the dosage of the endosomal Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) is crucial. Murine models have shown that TLR7 overexpression suffices to induce spontaneous lupus-like disease. Conversely, suppressing TLR7 in lupus-prone mice abolishes SLE development. TLR7 is encoded by a gene on the X chromosome gene, denoted TLR7 in humans and Tlr7 in the mouse, and expressed in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), monocytes/macrophages, and B cells. The receptor recognizes single-stranded RNA, and its engagement promotes B cell maturation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antibodies. In female mammals, each cell randomly inactivates one of its two X chromosomes to equalize gene dosage with XY males. However, 15 to 23% of X-linked human genes escape X chromosome inactivation so that both alleles can be expressed simultaneously. It has been hypothesized that biallelic expression of X-linked genes could occur in female immune cells, hence fostering harmful autoreactive and inflammatory responses. We review here the current knowledge of the role of TLR7 in SLE, and recent evidence demonstrating that TLR7 escapes from X chromosome inactivation in pDCs, monocytes, and B lymphocytes from women and Klinefelter syndrome men. Female B cells where TLR7 is thus biallelically expressed display higher TLR7-driven functional responses, connecting the presence of two X chromosomes with the enhanced immunity of women and their increased susceptibility to TLR7-dependent autoimmune syndromes.
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