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Drury ER, Wu J, Gigliotti JC, Le TH. Sex differences in blood pressure regulation and hypertension: renal, hemodynamic, and hormonal mechanisms. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:199-251. [PMID: 37477622 PMCID: PMC11281816 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00041.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The teleology of sex differences has been argued since at least as early as Aristotle's controversial Generation of Animals more than 300 years BC, which reflects the sex bias of the time to contemporary readers. Although the question "why are the sexes different" remains a topic of debate in the present day in metaphysics, the recent emphasis on sex comparison in research studies has led to the question "how are the sexes different" being addressed in health science through numerous observational studies in both health and disease susceptibility, including blood pressure regulation and hypertension. These efforts have resulted in better understanding of differences in males and females at the molecular level that partially explain their differences in vascular function and renal sodium handling and hence blood pressure and the consequential cardiovascular and kidney disease risks in hypertension. This review focuses on clinical studies comparing differences between men and women in blood pressure over the life span and response to dietary sodium and highlights experimental models investigating sexual dimorphism in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, vascular, sympathetic nervous, and immune systems, endothelin, the major renal sodium transporters/exchangers/channels, and the impact of sex hormones on these systems in blood pressure homeostasis. Understanding the mechanisms governing sex differences in blood pressure regulation could guide novel therapeutic approaches in a sex-specific manner to lower cardiovascular risks in hypertension and advance personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika R Drury
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Jing Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Joseph C Gigliotti
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Thu H Le
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
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2
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Evaluation of the systemic inflammatory response, endothelial cell dysfunction, and postoperative morbidity in patients, receiving perioperative corticosteroid, developing severe mesenteric traction syndrome — an exploratory study. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2022; 407:2095-2103. [DOI: 10.1007/s00423-022-02507-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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3
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Gerges SH, El-Kadi AOS. Sex differences in eicosanoid formation and metabolism: A possible mediator of sex discrepancies in cardiovascular diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 234:108046. [PMID: 34808133 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Arachidonic acid is metabolized by cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase, and cytochrome P450 enzymes to produce prostaglandins, leukotrienes, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs), along with other eicosanoids. Eicosanoids have important physiological and pathological roles in the body, including the cardiovascular system. Evidence from several experimental and clinical studies indicates differences in eicosanoid levels, as well as in the activity or expression levels of their synthesizing and metabolizing enzymes between males and females. In addition, there is a clear state of gender specificity in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), which tend to be more common in men compared to women, and their risk increases significantly in postmenopausal women compared to younger women. This could be largely attributed to sex hormones, as androgens exert detrimental effects on the heart and blood vessels, whereas estrogen exhibits cardioprotective effects. Many of androgen and estrogen effects on the cardiovascular system are mediated by eicosanoids. For example, androgens increase the levels of cardiotoxic eicosanoids like 20-HETE, while estrogens increase the levels of cardioprotective EETs. Thus, sex differences in eicosanoid levels in the cardiovascular system could be an important underlying mechanism for the different effects of sex hormones and the differences in CVD between males and females. Understanding the role of eicosanoids in these differences can help improve the management of CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samar H Gerges
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ayman O S El-Kadi
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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4
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James BD, Allen JB. Sex-Specific Response to Combinations of Shear Stress and Substrate Stiffness by Endothelial Cells In Vitro. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2100735. [PMID: 34142471 PMCID: PMC8458248 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202100735] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
By using a full factorial design of experiment, the combinatorial effects of biological sex, shear stress, and substrate stiffness on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) spreading and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) activity are able to be efficiently evaluated. Within the range of shear stress (0.5-1.5 Pa) and substrate stiffness (10-100 kPa), male HUVECs are smaller than female HUVECs. Only with sufficient mechanical stimulation do they spread to a similar size. More importantly, YAP1 nuclear localization in female HUVECs is invariant to mechanical stimulation within the range of tested conditions whereas for male HUVECs it increases nonlinearly with increasing shear stress and substrate stiffness. The sex-specific response of HUVECs to combinations of shear stress and substrate stiffness reinforces the need to include sex as a biological variable and multiple mechanical stimuli in experiments, informs the design of precision biomaterials, and offers insight for understanding cardiovascular disease sexual dimorphisms. Moreover, here it is illustrated that different complex mechanical microenvironments can lead to sex-specific phenotypes and sex invariant phenotypes in cultured endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan D James
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, 206 Rhines Hall, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, FL, 32611-6400, USA
| | - Josephine B Allen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Florida, 206 Rhines Hall, PO Box 116400, Gainesville, FL, 32611-6400, USA
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Human Umbilical Cord: Information Mine in Sex-Specific Medicine. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11010052. [PMID: 33451112 PMCID: PMC7828611 DOI: 10.3390/life11010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological differences between sexes should be considered in all stages of research, as sexual dimorphism starts in utero leading to sex-specific fetal programming. In numerous biomedical fields, there is still a lack of stratification by sex despite primary cultured cells retaining memory of the sex and of the donor. The sex of donors in biological research must be known because variations in cells and cellular components can be used as endpoints, biomarkers and/or targets of pharmacological studies. This selective review focuses on the current findings regarding sex differences observed in the umbilical cord, a widely used source of research samples, both in the blood and in the circulating cells, as well as in the different cellular models obtainable from it. Moreover, an overview on sex differences in fetal programming is reported. As it emerges that the sex variable is still often forgotten in experimental models, we suggest that it should be mandatory to adopt sex-oriented research, because only awareness of these issues can lead to innovative research.
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6
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Martinez-Muniz GA, Wood SK. Sex Differences in the Inflammatory Consequences of Stress: Implications for Pharmacotherapy. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2020; 375:161-174. [PMID: 32759370 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.120.266205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Women are at significantly greater risk of developing stress-related disorders such as depression. The increased risk begins during puberty and continues throughout life until menopause, suggesting a role for ovarian hormones in this increased susceptibility. Importantly, inflammation has been gaining momentum in its role in the pathogenesis of depression. Herein, clinical and preclinical studies have been reviewed to better understand how sex differences within the immune system may contribute to exaggerated risk of depression in females. First, studies that investigate the ability of psychologic stress episodes to engage the inflammatory systems both in the brain and periphery are reviewed with a special focus on sex-specific effects. Moreover, studies are discussed that identify whether imbalanced inflammatory milieu contributes to the development of depression in males versus females and whether these effects are regulated by estradiol. Importantly, we propose a locus coeruleus-norepinephrine-cytokine circuit as a conduit through which stress could increase stress susceptibly in females. Finally, the anti-inflammatory capacity of traditional and nontraditional antidepressants is investigated, with the goal of providing a better understanding of pharmacotherapeutics to enhance strategies to personalize antidepressant treatments between the sexes. The studies reviewed herein strongly support the need for further studies to elucidate whether females are especially sensitive to anti-inflammatory compounds as adjuvants to traditional therapies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Women have hve an increased risk of developing stress-related disorders such as depression. In this review, literature from clinical and preclinical studies are integrated to define sex differences in stress-induced inflammatory responses as a potential source for the etiology of sex differences in depressive disorders. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory capacity of traditional and nontraditional antidepressants is reviewed to inform on potential pharmacotherapeutic strategies to personalize antidepressant therapy in a sex-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo A Martinez-Muniz
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina and Dorn Veterans Administration Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina
| | - Susan K Wood
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina and Dorn Veterans Administration Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina
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7
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Lamin V, Jaghoori A, Jakobczak R, Stafford I, Heresztyn T, Worthington M, Edwards J, Viana F, Stuklis R, Wilson DP, Beltrame JF. Mechanisms Responsible for Serotonin Vascular Reactivity Sex Differences in the Internal Mammary Artery. J Am Heart Assoc 2018; 7:JAHA.117.007126. [PMID: 29987120 PMCID: PMC6064825 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.117.007126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background The increased adverse cardiac events in women undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting are multifactorial and may include clinical, psychosocial, and biological factors. Potential contributing biological factors could include vascular hyperreactivity of the internal mammary artery (IMA) to endogenous vasoconstrictors in women, resulting in a predilection to myocardial ischemia. This study evaluated sex differences in serotonin and thromboxane A2 dependent vasoconstriction in human isolated IMA, with the mechanistic role of (1) the endothelium, (2) nitric oxide (NO), (3) prostaglandins, and (4) receptor activity investigated for any observed sex difference. Methods and Results Viable isolated human IMA segments were obtained from 116 patients (44 women [mean age, 66.8±12.2 years] and 72 men [mean age, 66.6±10.4 years]) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Cumulative concentration‐response curves for serotonin and thromboxane A2 mimetic, U46619, were determined and revealed an increased sensitivity to serotonin but not U46619 in women. This sex difference to serotonin was further assessed by the following: (1) endothelial denudation, (2) endothelial NO synthase inhibition and NO quantification using electron paramagnetic resonance, (3) cyclooxygenase inhibition and prostaglandin metabolite quantification using mass spectrometry, and (4) quantification of receptor activity status. The female hyperreactivity to serotonin was (1) abolished by endothelial denudation; (2) unaffected by NO synthase inhibition, with no difference in electron paramagnetic resonance–assessed NO levels; (3) abolished by cyclooxygenase inhibition (quantification of prostaglandins in IMA revealed a trend towards reduced 6‐keto prostaglandin F1α in female IMA; P=0.08); and (4) unrelated to receptor activity. Conclusions These data indicate that female IMAs are hyperreactive to serotonin but not U46619, with the former attributable to an endothelium‐dependent cyclooxygenase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Lamin
- Discipline of Medicine, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Cardiology Unit, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia
| | - Amenah Jaghoori
- Discipline of Medicine, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Cardiology Unit, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rachel Jakobczak
- Discipline of Medicine, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Irene Stafford
- Cardiology Unit, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Tamila Heresztyn
- Cardiology Unit, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Worthington
- D'Arcy Sutherland Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - James Edwards
- D'Arcy Sutherland Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Fabiano Viana
- D'Arcy Sutherland Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robert Stuklis
- D'Arcy Sutherland Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David P Wilson
- Discipline of Medicine, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Cardiology Unit, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia
| | - John F Beltrame
- Discipline of Medicine, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia .,Cardiology Unit, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia, Australia.,Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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8
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Differential sex-specific effects of oxygen toxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 486:431-437. [PMID: 28315681 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.03.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Despite the well-established sex-specific differences in the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), the molecular mechanism(s) behind these are not completely understood. Pulmonary angiogenesis is critical for alveolarization and arrest in vascular development adversely affects lung development. Human neonatal umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) provide a robust in vitro model for the study of endothelial cell physiology and function. Male and Female HUVECs were exposed to room air (21% O2, 5% CO2) or hyperoxia (95% O2, 5% CO2) for up to 72 h. Cell viability, proliferation, H2O2 production and angiogenesis were analyzed. Sex-specific differences in the expression of VEGFR2 and modulation of NF-kappa B pathway were measured. Male HUVECs have decreased survival, greater oxidative stress and impairment in angiogenesis compared to similarly exposed female cells. There is differential expression of VEGFR2 between male and female HUVECs and greater activation of the NF-kappa B pathway in female HUVECs under hyperoxic conditions. The results indicate that sex differences exist between male and female HUVECs in vitro after hyperoxia exposure. Since endothelial dysfunction has a major role in the pathogenesis of BPD, these differences could explain in part the mechanisms behind sex-specific differences in the incidence of this disease.
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9
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Franconi F, Rosano G, Basili S, Montella A, Campesi I. Human cells involved in atherosclerosis have a sex. Int J Cardiol 2016; 228:983-1001. [PMID: 27915217 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.11.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The influence of sex has been largely described in cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is a complex process that involves many cell types such as vessel cells, immune cells and endothelial progenitor cells; however, many, if not all, studies do not report the sex of the cells. This review focuses on sex differences in human cells involved in the atherosclerotic process, emphasizing the role of sex hormones. Furthermore, we report sex differences and issues related to the processes that determine the fate of the cells such as apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms. The analysis of the data reveals that there are still many gaps in our knowledge regarding sex influences in atherosclerosis, largely for the cell types that have not been well studied, stressing the urgent need for a clear definition of experimental conditions and the inclusion of both sexes in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Franconi
- Assessorato alle Politiche per la Persona of Basilicata Region, Potenza, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rosano
- Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefania Basili
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties - Research Center on Gender and Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Medicine (CEQUAM), Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Montella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Campesi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Osilo, Italy.
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10
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Addis R, Campesi I, Fois M, Capobianco G, Dessole S, Fenu G, Montella A, Cattaneo MG, Vicentini LM, Franconi F. Human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) have a sex: characterisation of the phenotype of male and female cells. Biol Sex Differ 2014; 5:18. [PMID: 25535548 PMCID: PMC4273493 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-014-0018-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) are widely used to study the endothelial physiology and pathology that might be involved in sex and gender differences detected at the cardiovascular level. This study evaluated whether HUVECs are sexually dimorphic in their morphological, proliferative and migratory properties and in the gene and protein expression of oestrogen and androgen receptors and nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3). Moreover, because autophagy is influenced by sex, its degree was analysed in male and female HUVECs (MHUVECs and FHUVECs). Methods Umbilical cords from healthy, normal weight male and female neonates born to healthy non-obese and non-smoking women were studied. HUVEC morphology was analysed by electron microscopy, and their function was investigated by proliferation, viability, wound healing and chemotaxis assays. Gene and protein expression for oestrogen and androgen receptors and for NOS3 were evaluated by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively, and the expression of the primary molecules involved in autophagy regulation [protein kinase B (Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)] were detected by Western blotting. Results Cell proliferation, migration NOS3 mRNA and protein expression were significantly higher in FHUVECs than in MHUVECs. Conversely, beclin-1 and the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio were higher in MHUVECs than in FHUVECs, indicating that male cells are more autophagic than female cells. The expression of oestrogen and androgen receptor genes and proteins, the protein expression of Akt and mTOR and cellular size and shape were not influenced by sex. Body weights of male and female neonates were not significantly different, but the weight of male babies positively correlated with the weight of the mother, suggesting that the mother’s weight may exert a different influence on male and female babies. Conclusions The results indicate that sex differences exist in prenatal life and are parameter-specific, suggesting that HUVECs of both sexes should be used as an in vitro model to increase the quality and the translational value of research. The sex differences observed in HUVECs could be relevant in explaining the diseases of adulthood because endothelial dysfunction has a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, neurodegeneration and immune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Addis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Campesi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,National Laboratory of Gender Medicine of the National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Osilo, Sassari Italy
| | - Marco Fois
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giampiero Capobianco
- Department of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, Gynaecologic and Obstetric Clinic, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Salvatore Dessole
- Department of Surgical, Microsurgical and Medical Sciences, Gynaecologic and Obstetric Clinic, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Grazia Fenu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea Montella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cattaneo
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia M Vicentini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Flavia Franconi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,National Laboratory of Gender Medicine of the National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Osilo, Sassari Italy.,Assessorato alle Politiche per la Persona, Region Basilicata, Italy
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Davis CM, Siler DA, Alkayed NJ. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in the brain: influence of sex, vessel size and disease state. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 7:293-303. [PMID: 21612351 DOI: 10.2217/whe.11.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The endothelial layer of cells lining the intimal surface of blood vessels is essential for vascular function. The endothelium releases multiple vasodilator and protective factors, including nitric oxide, prostacyclin and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor; an imbalance in these factors predisposes individuals to vascular diseases such as stroke. These factors are differentially regulated by vessel size, sex hormones and disease state, therefore playing differential roles in different tissues following vascular injury. In particular, the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor candidate termed epoxyeicosatrienoic acid, plays a prominent role in microvessel function, especially after ischemia, thereby making this signaling pathway an attractive target for therapy in vascular disease, including stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Davis
- Cerebrovascular Research Division, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA
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12
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Wang J, Bingaman S, Huxley VH. Intrinsic sex-specific differences in microvascular endothelial cell phosphodiesterases. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2010; 298:H1146-54. [PMID: 20139324 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00252.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The importance of gonadal hormones in the regulation of vascular function has been documented. An alternate and essential contribution of the sex chromosomes to sex differences in vascular function is poorly understood. We reported previously sex differences in microvessel permeability (P(s)) responses to adenosine that were mediated by the cAMP signaling pathway (Wang J, PhD thesis, 2005; Wang J and Huxley V, Proceedings of the VIII World Congress of Microcirculation, 2007; Wang J and Huxley VH, Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 291: H3094-H3105, 2006). The two cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, central to the regulation of vascular barrier integrity, are hydrolyzed by phosphodiesterases (PDE). We hypothesized that microvascular endothelial cells (EC) would retain intrinsic and inheritable sexually dimorphic genes with respect to the PDEs modulating EC barrier function. Primary cultured microvascular EC from skeletal muscles isolated from male and female rats, respectively, were used. SRY (a sex-determining region Y gene) mRNA expression was observed exclusively in male, not female, cells. The predominant isoform among PDE1-5, present in both XY and XX EC, was PDE4. Expression mRNA levels of PDE1A (male > female) and PDE3B (male < female) were sex dependent; PDE2A, PDE4D, and PDE5A were sex independent. Barrier function, P(s), was determined from measures of albumin flux across confluent primary cultured microvessel XY and XX EC monolayers. Consistent with intact in situ microvessels, basal monolayer P(s) did not differ between XY (1.7 +/- 0.2 x 10(-6) cm/s; n = 8) and XX (1.8 +/- 0.1 x 10(-6) cm/s; n = 10) EC. Cilostazol, a PDE3 inhibitor, reduced (11%, P < 0.05) P(s) in XX, not XY, cells. These findings demonstrate the presence and maintenance of intrinsic sex-related differences in gene expression and cellular phenotype by microvascular EC in a gonadal-hormone-free environment. Furthermore, intrinsic cell-sex likely contributes significantly to sexual dimorphism in cardiovascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjie Wang
- Dept. of Biomedical Science, Missouri State Univ., Springfield, 65897, USA.
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13
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Golomb MR, Dick PT, MacGregor DL, Curtis R, Sofronas M, deVeber GA. Neonatal arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis are more commonly diagnosed in boys. J Child Neurol 2004; 19:493-7. [PMID: 15526952 DOI: 10.1177/08830738040190070301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The risk factors for arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in neonates are not well understood. We looked at gender, birthweight, and gestational age in neonates with arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis to see if there were trends suggesting that these were risk factors. We identified neonates with a gestational age at birth > or = 36 weeks and a diagnosis of arterial ischemic stroke or cerebral sinovenous thrombosis made by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging during the neonatal period from a consecutive cohort study of children with arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis in Ontario. Data on gender, birthweight, and gestational age were obtained by health record review. Sixty-six children with neonatal arterial ischemic stroke were identified. Forty-one (62.1%; 95% CI 49.3-73.8%) were male. Thirty-two children with neonatal cerebral sinovenous thrombosis were identified. Twenty-five (78.1%; 95% CI 60.0-90.7%) were male. One male child was identified with both arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis. There was a trend toward higher than average birthweights among neonates with arterial ischemic stroke and a trend toward older gestational age in female neonates with arterial ischemic stroke. Our data suggest that neonatal arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis are more commonly diagnosed in boys. The slightly larger size of male neonates may be contributory in arterial ischemic stroke. It is not known whether boys are at higher risk of developing arterial ischemic stroke and cerebral sinovenous thrombosis or are simply more likely to present with symptoms resulting in diagnosis. These issues need further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith R Golomb
- Department of Neurology, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Room 1757, 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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14
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Myers SI, Turnage RH, Bartula L, Kalley B, Meng Y. Estrogen increases male rat aortic endothelial cell (RAEC) PGI2 release. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1996; 54:403-9. [PMID: 8888351 DOI: 10.1016/s0952-3278(96)90023-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen has been proposed as a negative risk factor for development of peripheral vascular disease yet mechanisms of this protection are not known. This study examines the hypothesis that estrogen stimulates rat aortic endothelial cell (RAEC) release of PGI2. Male Sprague-Dawley rat abdominal aortic 1-mm rings were placed on 35 mm matrigel plates, and incubated for 1 week. The cells were transferred to a Primaria 60-mm dish and maintained from passage 3 in RAEC complete media and experiments performed between passages 4-10. Cells were incubated with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (pH 7.4) containing carrier or increasing concentrations of beta-estradiol or testosterone for 60 min. The effluent was analyzed for eicosanoid release of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (6-keto, PGI2 metabolite), PGE2 and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) by EIA (hormone stimulated-basal). Cells were analyzed for total protein by the Bradford method and for cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and prostacyclin synthase (PS) content by Western blot analysis and densitometry. Testosterone did not alter RAEC 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release, whereas estrogen increased RAEC 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release in a dose-related manner. Estrogen preincubation (10 ng/ml) decreased COX-1 and PS content by 40% suggesting that the estrogen-induced increase in male RAEC PGI2 release was not due to increased synthesis of COX-1 or PS. These data support the hypothesis that estrogen stimulation can increase endogenous male RAEC release of PGI2.
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Affiliation(s)
- S I Myers
- Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA
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Cabré F, Tost D, Suesa N, Gutiérrez M, Ucedo P, Mauleón D, Carganico G. Synthesis and release of platelet-activating factor and eicosanoids in human endothelial cells induced by different agonists. AGENTS AND ACTIONS 1993; 38:212-9. [PMID: 8213348 DOI: 10.1007/bf01976213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Production of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and eicosanoids by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) after stimulation with different agonists has been studied. Significant amounts of PAF were measured in the cellular fraction after treatment with thrombin (2 NIHu/ml), calcium ionophore A23187 (2 microM) and histamine (100 microM) (110.3 +/- 14.3, 80.7 +/- 19.2 and 119.2 +/- 22.4 pg/10(5) cells, respectively). Only thrombin caused a partial release of PAF into the supernatant. IL-1 alpha (0.1 nM), TNF (1 nM), arachidonic acid (10 microM) and endothelin (0.1 microM) were not able to induce any PAF synthesis. High levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were found after stimulation with thrombin and calcium ionophore A23187 (8641 +/- 2575 and 6715 +/- 3340 pg/10(5) cells, respectively). Cytokines IL-1 alpha and TNF were also able to stimulate PGI2 synthesis, although to a lesser extent. PGE2 production increased after treatment with thrombin and calcium ionophore A23187 three- and two-fold, respectively. Our results confirm that stimulated HUVEC are able to synthesize PAF and eicosanoids simultaneously, the relative amounts depending upon the agonist used. None of the agonists studied showed any significant effect on 15-HETE production.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Cabré
- R&D Department, Laboratories Menarini S.A., Badalona, Spain
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Batres-Cerezo R, Dupont J, Garcia PA, Kies C, Mathias MM. Studies of women eating diets with different fatty acid composition. III. Fatty acids and prostaglandin synthesis by platelets and cultured human endothelial cells. J Am Coll Nutr 1991; 10:327-39. [PMID: 1894889 DOI: 10.1080/07315724.1991.10718160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine how plasma fatty acids (FA) of subjects eating either a diet designed to match the US diet consumed in 1974 in fat content and composition in accord with the HANES I survey (US74) or a diet modified to meet the US Dietary Goal Recommendations (MOD) are altered, and how the changes affect platelet thromboxane (TXB2) synthesis, and prostacyclin (PGI2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis by cultured human endothelial cells. Following a period of recorded self-selected diets, 10 women ate the US74 diet for 4 weeks, changing to the MOD diet for the next 4 weeks (sequence 1), and 10 ate the MOD diet followed by the US74 diet (sequence 2). Plasma triglycerides, free FA, platelet FA composition, and red blood cell phospholipids responded to the change from self-selected to controlled diets, but differences in responses were not seen between US74 and MOD diets. Red blood cell total FA did not respond to dietary changes. Under collagen but not thrombin stimulation, platelet TXB2 synthesis was correlated with platelet arachidonate concentration but not serum cholesterol. Endothelial cells were isolated from umbilical cord veins and incubated for 72 hours with a 20% medium of the women's plasma. In sequence 1 (high saturated FA to high polyunsaturated fatty acids), but not in 2 (reverse order), plasma from subjects eating the MOD diet decreased (p less than 0.05) basal and thrombin-stimulated PGI2 and PGE2 synthesis by the cells. These cells had a higher content of linoleic acid than cells from subjects eating the US74 diet. Thus, our study suggests that an increase in the intake of linoleic acid from 4.8 to 7.6 en% decreases PGI2 and PGE2 synthesis by human endothelial cells, and supplementation of the diet with linoleic acid has a longer period of effectiveness than its decrease in the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Batres-Cerezo
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames 50011
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