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Lopez-Lee C, Torres ERS, Carling G, Gan L. Mechanisms of sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. Neuron 2024; 112:1208-1221. [PMID: 38402606 PMCID: PMC11076015 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the mechanisms underlying its etiology and progression are complex and multifactorial. The higher AD risk in women may serve as a clue to better understand these complicated processes. In this review, we examine aspects of AD that demonstrate sex-dependent effects and delve into the potential biological mechanisms responsible, compiling findings from advanced technologies such as single-cell RNA sequencing, metabolomics, and multi-omics analyses. We review evidence that sex hormones and sex chromosomes interact with various disease mechanisms during aging, encompassing inflammation, metabolism, and autophagy, leading to unique characteristics in disease progression between men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Lopez-Lee
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eileen Ruth S Torres
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gillian Carling
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Gan
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Geleta U, Prajapati P, Bachstetter A, Nelson PT, Wang WX. Sex-Biased Expression and Response of microRNAs in Neurological Diseases and Neurotrauma. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2648. [PMID: 38473893 PMCID: PMC10931569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurological diseases and neurotrauma manifest significant sex differences in prevalence, progression, outcome, and therapeutic responses. Genetic predisposition, sex hormones, inflammation, and environmental exposures are among many physiological and pathological factors that impact the sex disparity in neurological diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a powerful class of gene expression regulator that are extensively involved in mediating biological pathways. Emerging evidence demonstrates that miRNAs play a crucial role in the sex dimorphism observed in various human diseases, including neurological diseases. Understanding the sex differences in miRNA expression and response is believed to have important implications for assessing the risk of neurological disease, defining therapeutic intervention strategies, and advancing both basic research and clinical investigations. However, there is limited research exploring the extent to which miRNAs contribute to the sex disparities observed in various neurological diseases. Here, we review the current state of knowledge related to the sexual dimorphism in miRNAs in neurological diseases and neurotrauma research. We also discuss how sex chromosomes may contribute to the miRNA sexual dimorphism phenomenon. We attempt to emphasize the significance of sexual dimorphism in miRNA biology in human diseases and to advocate a gender/sex-balanced science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urim Geleta
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (U.G.); (P.P.); (A.B.); (P.T.N.)
| | - Paresh Prajapati
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (U.G.); (P.P.); (A.B.); (P.T.N.)
| | - Adam Bachstetter
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (U.G.); (P.P.); (A.B.); (P.T.N.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Peter T. Nelson
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (U.G.); (P.P.); (A.B.); (P.T.N.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Wang-Xia Wang
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (U.G.); (P.P.); (A.B.); (P.T.N.)
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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3
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Peeters SB, Posynick BJ, Brown CJ. Out of the Silence: Insights into How Genes Escape X-Chromosome Inactivation. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:29. [PMID: 38131901 PMCID: PMC10742877 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The silencing of all but one X chromosome in mammalian cells is a remarkable epigenetic process leading to near dosage equivalence in X-linked gene products between the sexes. However, equally remarkable is the ability of a subset of genes to continue to be expressed from the otherwise inactive X chromosome-in some cases constitutively, while other genes are variable between individuals, tissues or cells. In this review we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the approaches that have been used to identify escapees. The identity of escapees provides important clues to mechanisms underlying escape from XCI, an arena of study now moving from correlation to functional studies. As most escapees show greater expression in females, the not-so-inactive X chromosome is a substantial contributor to sex differences in humans, and we highlight some examples of such impact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carolyn J. Brown
- Molecular Epigenetics Group, Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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Montserrat-Vazquez S, Ali NJ, Matteini F, Lozano J, Zhaowei T, Mejia-Ramirez E, Marka G, Vollmer A, Soller K, Sacma M, Sakk V, Mularoni L, Mallm JP, Plass M, Zheng Y, Geiger H, Florian MC. Transplanting rejuvenated blood stem cells extends lifespan of aged immunocompromised mice. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:78. [PMID: 36581635 PMCID: PMC9800381 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00275-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
One goal of regenerative medicine is to rejuvenate tissues and extend lifespan by restoring the function of endogenous aged stem cells. However, evidence that somatic stem cells can be targeted in vivo to extend lifespan is still lacking. Here, we demonstrate that after a short systemic treatment with a specific inhibitor of the small RhoGTPase Cdc42 (CASIN), transplanting aged hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from treated mice is sufficient to extend the healthspan and lifespan of aged immunocompromised mice without additional treatment. In detail, we show that systemic CASIN treatment improves strength and endurance of aged mice by increasing the myogenic regenerative potential of aged skeletal muscle stem cells. Further, we show that CASIN modifies niche localization and H4K16ac polarity of HSCs in vivo. Single-cell profiling reveals changes in HSC transcriptome, which underlie enhanced lymphoid and regenerative capacity in serial transplantation assays. Overall, we provide proof-of-concept evidence that a short systemic treatment to decrease Cdc42 activity improves the regenerative capacity of different endogenous aged stem cells in vivo, and that rejuvenated HSCs exert a broad systemic effect sufficient to extend murine health- and lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Montserrat-Vazquez
- grid.417656.7Stem Cell Aging Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, The Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.417656.7Program for advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Noelle J. Ali
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Francesca Matteini
- grid.417656.7Stem Cell Aging Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, The Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.417656.7Program for advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Lozano
- grid.417656.7Stem Cell Aging Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, The Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.417656.7Program for advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tu Zhaowei
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Eva Mejia-Ramirez
- grid.417656.7Stem Cell Aging Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, The Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.417656.7Program for advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.512890.7Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
| | - Gina Marka
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Angelika Vollmer
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Karin Soller
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Mehmet Sacma
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Vadim Sakk
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Loris Mularoni
- grid.417656.7Program for advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Mireya Plass
- grid.417656.7Program for advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.512890.7Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain ,grid.417656.7Gene Regulation of Cell Identity Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, The Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yi Zheng
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Hartmut Geiger
- grid.6582.90000 0004 1936 9748Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - M. Carolina Florian
- grid.417656.7Stem Cell Aging Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, The Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.417656.7Program for advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain ,grid.512890.7Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
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Keur N, Ricaño-Ponce I, Kumar V, Matzaraki V. A systematic review of analytical methods used in genetic association analysis of the X-chromosome. Brief Bioinform 2022; 23:6651325. [PMID: 35901513 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic association studies have been very successful at elucidating the genetic background of many complex diseases/traits. However, the X-chromosome is often neglected in these studies because of technical difficulties and the fact that most tools only utilize genetic data from autosomes. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of different practical approaches that are followed to incorporate the X-chromosome in association analysis, such as Genome-Wide Association Studies and Expression Quantitative Trait Loci Analysis. In general, the choice of which test statistics is most appropriate will depend on three main criteria: (1) the underlying X-inactivation model, (2) if Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium holds and sex-specific allele frequencies are expected and (3) whether adjustment for confounding variables is required. All in all, it is recommended that a combination of different association tests should be used for the analysis of X-chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Keur
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 HP, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Isis Ricaño-Ponce
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 HP, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 HP, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Genetics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9700RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vasiliki Matzaraki
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 HP, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Epigenetic modifier SMCHD1 maintains a normal pool of long-term hematopoietic stem cells. iScience 2022; 25:104684. [PMID: 35856023 PMCID: PMC9287190 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104684] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
SMCHD1 (structural maintenance of chromosomes hinge domain containing 1) is a noncanonical SMC protein that mediates long-range repressive chromatin structures. SMCHD1 is required for X chromosome inactivation in female cells and repression of imprinted and clustered autosomal genes, with SMCHD1 mutations linked to human diseases facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and bosma arhinia and micropthalmia syndrome (BAMS). We used a conditional mouse model to investigate SMCHD1 in hematopoiesis. Smchd1-deleted mice maintained steady-state hematopoiesis despite showing an impaired reconstitution capacity in competitive bone marrow transplantations and age-related hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) loss. This phenotype was more pronounced in Smchd1-deleted females, which showed a loss of quiescent HSCs and fewer B cells. Gene expression profiling of Smchd1-deficient HSCs and B cells revealed known and cell-type-specific SMCHD1-sensitive genes and significant disruption to X-linked gene expression in female cells. These data show SMCHD1 is a regulator of HSCs whose effects are more profound in females. SMCHD1 is not required to maintain steady-state hematopoiesis Smchd1-deletion leads to loss of adult hematopoietic stem cells Smchd1-deleted female mice are more severely affected than males SMCHD1 maintains cellular quiescence in female hematopoietic stem cells
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Dossin F, Heard E. The Molecular and Nuclear Dynamics of X-Chromosome Inactivation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2022; 14:a040196. [PMID: 34312245 PMCID: PMC9121902 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a040196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In female eutherian mammals, dosage compensation of X-linked gene expression is achieved during development through transcriptional silencing of one of the two X chromosomes. Following X chromosome inactivation (XCI), the inactive X chromosome remains faithfully silenced throughout somatic cell divisions. XCI is dependent on Xist, a long noncoding RNA that coats and silences the X chromosome from which it is transcribed. Xist coating triggers a cascade of chromosome-wide changes occurring at the levels of transcription, chromatin composition, chromosome structure, and spatial organization within the nucleus. XCI has emerged as a paradigm for the study of such crucial nuclear processes and the dissection of their functional interplay. In the past decade, the advent of tools to characterize and perturb these processes have provided an unprecedented understanding into their roles during XCI. The mechanisms orchestrating the initiation of XCI as well as its maintenance are thus being unraveled, although many questions still remain. Here, we introduce key aspects of the XCI process and review the recent discoveries about its molecular basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Dossin
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Director's Unit, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Edith Heard
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Director's Unit, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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8
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Matteini F, Mulaw MA, Florian MC. Aging of the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche: New Tools to Answer an Old Question. Front Immunol 2021; 12:738204. [PMID: 34858399 PMCID: PMC8631970 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.738204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche is a specialized microenvironment, where a complex and dynamic network of interactions across multiple cell types regulates HSC function. During the last years, it became progressively clearer that changes in the HSC niche are responsible for specific alterations of HSC behavior. The aging of the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment has been shown to critically contribute to the decline in HSC function over time. Interestingly, while upon aging some niche structures within the BM are degenerated and negatively affect HSC functionality, other niche cells and specific signals are preserved and essential to retaining HSC function and regenerative capacity. These new findings on the role of the aging BM niche critically depend on the implementation of new technical tools, developed thanks to transdisciplinary approaches, which bring together different scientific fields. For example, the development of specific mouse models in addition to coculture systems, new 3D-imaging tools, ossicles, and ex-vivo BM mimicking systems is highlighting the importance of new technologies to unravel the complexity of the BM niche on aging. Of note, an exponential impact in the understanding of this biological system has been recently brought by single-cell sequencing techniques, spatial transcriptomics, and implementation of artificial intelligence and deep learning approaches to data analysis and integration. This review focuses on how the aging of the BM niche affects HSCs and on the new tools to investigate the specific alterations occurring in the BM upon aging. All these new advances in the understanding of the BM niche and its regulatory function on HSCs have the potential to lead to novel therapeutical approaches to preserve HSC function upon aging and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Matteini
- Stem Cell Aging Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, The Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
- Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], Barcelona, Spain
| | - Medhanie A. Mulaw
- Institute for Molecular Medicine and Internal Medicine I, Ulm University and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - M. Carolina Florian
- Stem Cell Aging Group, Regenerative Medicine Program, The Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), Barcelona, Spain
- Program for Advancing the Clinical Translation of Regenerative Medicine of Catalonia, P-CMR[C], Barcelona, Spain
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Madrid, Spain
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