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Abarikwu SO, Coimbra JLP, Campolina-Silva G, Rocha ST, Costa VV, Lacerda SMSN, Costa GMJ. Acute effects of atrazine on the immunoexpressions of Sertoli and germ cells molecular markers, cytokines, chemokines, and sex hormones levels in mice testes and epididymides. CHEMOSPHERE 2024:142852. [PMID: 39019188 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Atrazine is currently one of the most commonly used agrochemicals in the United States and elsewhere. Here, we studied the immunoexpression of molecular markers of mammalian testicular functions: androgen receptor (AR), promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF), GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1), VASA/DDX4 (DEAD-Box Helicase 4) as well as the levels of intratesticular and intra-epididymal estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6, IL-10) and testicular chemokines (CXCL-1, CCL-2 and CCL3) in BalB/c mice after a sub-acute gavage treatment with a gonado-toxin, atrazine (50 mg/kg body wt.) for three days. We found high numbers of AR immunopositive Sertoli cells and low numbers of GFRA1, PLZF and VASA/DDX4-positive germ cells in the seminiferous tubule regions of the testes. While TNF-α level in the testes fell and remained unchanged in the epididymides, IFN-γ levels in the testes remained constant but increased in the epididymides. E2 and DHT concentrations remained unaltered in the testes but were changed in the epididymides. There were no significant changes in the levels of interleukins in the testis and epididymis. Intratesticular chemokines were also not significantly altered, except for CCL-4, which was increased in the testis. Light microscopy of the epididymis showed detached epithelium and some detached cells in the lumen. It is concluded that atrazine changed the inflammatory status of the gonads and highlighted Sertoli and undifferentiated spermatogonia as important targets for atrazine's toxic effects in the testis of mice. Concerning the epididymis, atrazine altered the epididymal hormonal concentrations and promoted histopathological modifications in its parenchyma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunny O Abarikwu
- Reproductive Biology and Molecular Toxicology Research group, Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Nigeria.
| | - John L P Coimbra
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Samuel Tadeu Rocha
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vivian Vasconcelos Costa
- Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Fármacos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Samyra M S N Lacerda
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Guilherme M J Costa
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Minas Gerais, Brazil
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2
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Nicolini A, Rossi G, Ferrari P. Experimental and clinical evidence in favour of an effective immune stimulation in ER-positive, endocrine-dependent metastatic breast cancer. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1225175. [PMID: 38332913 PMCID: PMC10850262 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1225175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In ER+ breast cancer, usually seen as the low immunogenic type, the main mechanisms favouring the immune response or tumour growth and immune evasion in the tumour microenvironment (TME) have been examined. The principal implications of targeting the oestrogen-mediated pathways were also considered. Recent experimental findings point out that anti-oestrogens contribute to the reversion of the immunosuppressive TME. Moreover, some preliminary clinical data with the hormone-immunotherapy association in a metastatic setting support the notion that the reversion of immune suppression in TME is likely favoured by the G0-G1 state induced by anti-oestrogens. Following immune stimulation, the reverted immune suppression allows the boosting of the effector cells of the innate and adaptive immune response. This suggests that ER+ breast cancer is a molecular subtype where a successful active immune manipulation can be attained. If this is confirmed by a prospective multicentre trial, which is expected in light of the provided evidence, the proposed hormone immunotherapy can also be tested in the adjuvant setting. Furthermore, the different rationale suggests a synergistic activity of our proposed immunotherapy with the currently recommended regimen consisting of antioestrogens combined with cyclin kinase inhibitors. Overall, this lays the foundation for a shift in clinical practice within this most prevalent molecular subtype of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Nicolini
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rossi
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council and Gabriele Monasterio Foundation, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paola Ferrari
- Department of Oncology, Transplantations and New Technologies in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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3
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Hansda AK, Biswas B, Goswami R. 17-β Estradiol (E2) distinctly regulates the expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in Th2 cells via modulating the interplay between GATA3 and PU.1. Cytokine 2024; 173:156440. [PMID: 37984154 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156440] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
17-β Estradiol (E2) has long standing known functions in regulating human physiology as well as immune system. E2 is known to elicit a protective role against experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and has been used as a drug for treatment against multiple sclerosis. Moreover, E2 regulates the adaptive immune system by directly affecting the T helper cell subsets differentiation and antibody secretion mediated by B cells. Reports have shown that E2 promotes Th1 and Treg cell differentiation; whereas it attenuated the Th17 and Tfh cell differentiation. Albeit multiple and contrasting studies, the mechanisms of behind E2 action on Th2 cells remained understudied. Hence, we sought to dissect the impact of E2 in Th2 cell differentiation. In this study, we elucidated the molecular mechanisms behind E2-mediated regulation of the differentiation of Th2 cells. We observed that E2 significantly attenuated the IL-4-secreting Th2 population in an ERα-dependent manner. We validated these findings using ICI 182, 780, an antagonist to ERα, not ERβ and ectopically overexpressing ERα in Th2 cells. We further determined that ERα alters the recruitment of GATA3 and PU.1 to Il4 gene by directly interacting with them. This altered recruitment was observed to be stronger at Il4 than Il13 locus. Interestingly, we detected a distinct recruitment of GATA3 and PU.1 at Il13 gene; however, there was no E2-mediated broad alteration in the recruitment of histone-modifiers at Il13 locus. These findings suggest that E2 regulates Il4 in a distinctly separate mechanism as opposed to Il13 locus in Th2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Biswajit Biswas
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
| | - Ritobrata Goswami
- School of Bioscience, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India.
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4
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Harvey BJ, Harvey HM. Sex Differences in Colon Cancer: Genomic and Nongenomic Signalling of Oestrogen. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:2225. [PMID: 38137047 PMCID: PMC10742859 DOI: 10.3390/genes14122225] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignancy that exhibits distinct differences in incidence, prognosis, and treatment responses between males and females. These disparities have long been attributed to hormonal differences, particularly the influence of oestrogen signalling. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex differences in colon cancer and the protective role of membrane and nuclear oestrogen signalling in CRC development, progression, and therapeutic interventions. We discuss the epidemiological and molecular evidence supporting sex differences in colon cancer, followed by an exploration of the impact of oestrogen in CRC through various genomic and nongenomic signalling pathways involving membrane and nuclear oestrogen receptors. Furthermore, we examine the interplay between oestrogen receptors and other signalling pathways, in particular the Wnt/β-catenin proliferative pathway and hypoxia in shaping biological sex differences and oestrogen protective actions in colon cancer. Lastly, we highlight the potential therapeutic implications of targeting oestrogen signalling in the management of colon cancer and propose future research directions to address the current gaps in our understanding of this complex phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J. Harvey
- Faculty of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Harry M. Harvey
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON M5G 1Z5, Canada;
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5
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Maenosono R. Sex difference and immunosenescence affect transplantation outcomes. FRONTIERS IN TRANSPLANTATION 2023; 2:1235740. [PMID: 38993850 PMCID: PMC11235384 DOI: 10.3389/frtra.2023.1235740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Kidney transplantation is a well-established alternative to renal replacement therapy. Although the number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing, the availability of kidney for transplantation is still insufficient to meet the needs. As age increases, the prevalence of ESRD increases; thus, the population of aged donors and recipients occupies large proportion. Accumulated senescent cells secrete pro-inflammatory factors and induce senescence. Additionally, it is gradually becoming clear that biological sex differences can influence aging and cause differences in senescence. Here, we review whether age-related sex differences affect organ transplant outcomes and what should be done in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoichi Maenosono
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Takatsuki, Japan
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Cha J, Choi S. Gene-Smoking Interaction Analysis for the Identification of Novel Asthma-Associated Genetic Factors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12266. [PMID: 37569643 PMCID: PMC10419280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512266] [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: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a complex heterogeneous disease caused by gene-environment interactions. Although numerous genome-wide association studies have been conducted, these interactions have not been systemically investigated. We sought to identify genetic factors associated with the asthma phenotype in 66,857 subjects from the Health Examination Study, Cardiovascular Disease Association Study, and Korea Association Resource Study cohorts. We investigated asthma-associated gene-environment (smoking status) interactions at the level of single nucleotide polymorphisms, genes, and gene sets. We identified two potentially novel (SETDB1 and ZNF8) and five previously reported (DM4C, DOCK8, MMP20, MYL7, and ADCY9) genes associated with increased asthma risk. Numerous gene ontology processes, including regulation of T cell differentiation in the thymus (GO:0033081), were significantly enriched for asthma risk. Functional annotation analysis confirmed the causal relationship between five genes (two potentially novel and three previously reported genes) and asthma through genome-wide functional prediction scores (combined annotation-dependent depletion, deleterious annotation of genetic variants using neural networks, and RegulomeDB). Our findings elucidate the genetic architecture of asthma and improve the understanding of its biological mechanisms. However, further studies are necessary for developing preventive treatments based on environmental factors and understanding the immune system mechanisms that contribute to the etiology of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junho Cha
- Department of Applied Artificial Intelligence, College of Computing, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyang-daehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sungkyoung Choi
- Department of Applied Artificial Intelligence, College of Computing, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyang-daehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea;
- Department of Mathematical Data Science, College of Science and Convergence Technology, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyang-daehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
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7
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Szukiewicz D. Insight into the Potential Mechanisms of Endocrine Disruption by Dietary Phytoestrogens in the Context of the Etiopathogenesis of Endometriosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12195. [PMID: 37569571 PMCID: PMC10418522 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Phytoestrogens (PEs) are estrogen-like nonsteroidal compounds derived from plants (e.g., nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables) and fungi that are structurally similar to 17β-estradiol. PEs bind to all types of estrogen receptors, including ERα and ERβ receptors, nuclear receptors, and a membrane-bound estrogen receptor known as the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). As endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with pro- or antiestrogenic properties, PEs can potentially disrupt the hormonal regulation of homeostasis, resulting in developmental and reproductive abnormalities. However, a lack of PEs in the diet does not result in the development of deficiency symptoms. To properly assess the benefits and risks associated with the use of a PE-rich diet, it is necessary to distinguish between endocrine disruption (endocrine-mediated adverse effects) and nonspecific effects on the endocrine system. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease of unknown etiopathogenesis, in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus with subsequent complications being manifested as a result of local inflammatory reactions. Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age and is associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. In this review, the endocrine-disruptive actions of PEs are reviewed in the context of endometriosis to determine whether a PE-rich diet has a positive or negative effect on the risk and course of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dariusz Szukiewicz
- Department of Biophysics, Physiology & Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland
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8
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Fairweather D, Beetler DJ, Musigk N, Heidecker B, Lyle MA, Cooper LT, Bruno KA. Sex and gender differences in myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy: An update. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1129348. [PMID: 36937911 PMCID: PMC10017519 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1129348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past decade there has been a growing interest in understanding sex and gender differences in myocarditis and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and the purpose of this review is to provide an update on this topic including epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical presentation, diagnosis and management. Recently, many clinical studies have been conducted examining sex differences in myocarditis. Studies consistently report that myocarditis occurs more often in men than women with a sex ratio ranging from 1:2-4 female to male. Studies reveal that DCM also has a sex ratio of around 1:3 women to men and this is also true for familial/genetic forms of DCM. Animal models have demonstrated that DCM develops after myocarditis in susceptible mouse strains and evidence exists for this progress clinically as well. A consistent finding is that myocarditis occurs primarily in men under 50 years of age, but in women after age 50 or post-menopause. In contrast, DCM typically occurs after age 50, although the age that post-myocarditis DCM occurs has not been investigated. In a small study, more men with myocarditis presented with symptoms of chest pain while women presented with dyspnea. Men with myocarditis have been found to have higher levels of heart failure biomarkers soluble ST2, creatine kinase, myoglobin and T helper 17-associated cytokines while women develop a better regulatory immune response. Studies of the pathogenesis of disease have found that Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 signaling pathways play a central role in increasing inflammation during myocarditis and in promoting remodeling and fibrosis that leads to DCM, and all of these pathways are elevated in males. Management of myocarditis follows heart failure guidelines and there are currently no disease-specific therapies. Research on standard heart failure medications reveal important sex differences. Overall, many advances in our understanding of the effect of biologic sex on myocarditis and DCM have occurred over the past decade, but many gaps in our understanding remain. A better understanding of sex and gender effects are needed to develop disease-targeted and individualized medicine approaches in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- DeLisa Fairweather
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Danielle J. Beetler
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Nicolas Musigk
- Department of Cardiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Heidecker
- Department of Cardiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Melissa A. Lyle
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Leslie T. Cooper
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Katelyn A. Bruno
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, United States
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Borborema MEDA, de Lucena TMC, Silva JDA. Vitamin D and estrogen steroid hormones and their immunogenetic roles in Infectious respiratory (TB and COVID-19) diseases. Genet Mol Biol 2023; 46:e20220158. [PMID: 36745756 PMCID: PMC9901533 DOI: 10.1590/1415-4757-gmb-2022-0158] [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: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of steroid hormones against infectious diseases has been extensively studied. From immunomodulatory action to direct inhibition of microorganism growth, hormones D3 (VD3) and 17β-estradiol (E2), and the genetic pathways modulated by them, are key targets for a better understanding pathogenesis of infectious respiratory diseases (IRD) such as tuberculosis (TB) and the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Currently, the world faces two major public health problems, the outbreak of COVID-19, accounting for more than 6 million so far, and TB, more than 1 million deaths per year. Both, although resulting from different pathogens, the Mtb and the SARS-CoV-2, respectively, are considered serious and epidemic. TB and COVID-19 present similar infection rates between men and women, however the number of complications and deaths resulting from the two infections is higher in men when compared to women in childbearing age, which may indicate a role of the sex hormone E2 in the context of these diseases. E2 and VD3 act upon key gene pathways as important immunomodulatory players and supporting molecules in IRDs. This review summarizes the main roles of these hormones (VD3 and E2) in modulating immune and inflammatory responses and their relationship with TB and COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Eduarda de Albuquerque Borborema
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Genética, Laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular Humana (LGBMH), Recife, PE, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Thays Maria Costa de Lucena
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Genética, Laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular Humana (LGBMH), Recife, PE, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline de Azevêdo Silva
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Departamento de Genética, Laboratório de Genética e Biologia Molecular Humana (LGBMH), Recife, PE, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Recife, PE, Brazil
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10
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Shields CA, Wang X, Cornelius DC. Sex differences in cardiovascular response to sepsis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C458-C466. [PMID: 36571442 PMCID: PMC9902216 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00134.2022] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased recognition of the importance of sex as a biological factor affecting disease and health. Many preclinical studies have suggested that males may experience a less favorable outcome in response to sepsis than females. The underlying mechanisms for these differences are still largely unknown but are thought to be related to the beneficial effects of estrogen. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive role of testosterone is also thought to contribute to the sex-dependent differences that are present in clinical sepsis. There are still significant knowledge gaps in this field. This mini-review will provide a brief overview of sex-dependent variables in relation to sepsis and the cardiovascular system. Preclinical animal models for sepsis research will also be discussed. The intent of this mini-review is to inspire interest for future considerations of sex-related variables in sepsis that should be addressed to increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms in sepsis-induced cardiovascular dysfunction for the identification of therapeutic targets and improved sepsis management and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corbin A Shields
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Denise C Cornelius
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
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11
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Chakraborty B, Byemerwa J, Krebs T, Lim F, Chang CY, McDonnell DP. Estrogen Receptor Signaling in the Immune System. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:117-141. [PMID: 35709009 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnac017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The immune system functions in a sexually dimorphic manner, with females exhibiting more robust immune responses than males. However, how female sex hormones affect immune function in normal homeostasis and in autoimmunity is poorly understood. In this review, we discuss how estrogens affect innate and adaptive immune cell activity and how dysregulation of estrogen signaling underlies the pathobiology of some autoimmune diseases and cancers. The potential roles of the major circulating estrogens, and each of the 3 estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ, and G-protein coupled receptor) in the regulation of the activity of different immune cells are considered. This provides the framework for a discussion of the impact of ER modulators (aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and selective estrogen receptor downregulators) on immunity. Synthesis of this information is timely given the considerable interest of late in defining the mechanistic basis of sex-biased responses/outcomes in patients with different cancers treated with immune checkpoint blockade. It will also be instructive with respect to the further development of ER modulators that modulate immunity in a therapeutically useful manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binita Chakraborty
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jovita Byemerwa
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Taylor Krebs
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Known Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | - Felicia Lim
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ching-Yi Chang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Donald P McDonnell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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12
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Comeau KD, Shokoples BG, Schiffrin EL. Sex Differences in the Immune System in Relation to Hypertension and Vascular Disease. Can J Cardiol 2022; 38:1828-1843. [PMID: 35597532 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality worldwide. Despite intensive research into the mechanisms underlying the development of hypertension, it remains difficult to control blood pressure in a large proportion of patients. Young men have a higher prevalence of hypertension compared with age-matched women, and this holds true until approximately the fifth decade of life. Following the onset of menopause, the incidence of hypertension among women begins to surpass that of men. The immune system has been demonstrated to play a role in the pathophysiology of hypertension, and biological sex and sex hormones can affect the function of innate and adaptive immune cell populations. Recent studies in male and female animal models of hypertension have begun to unravel the relationship among sex, immunity, and hypertension. Hypertensive male animals show a bias toward proinflammatory T-cell subsets, including interleukin (IL) 17-producing TH17 cells, and increased renal infiltration of T cells and inflammatory macrophages. Conversely, premenopausal female animals are largely protected from hypertension, and have a predilection for anti-inflammatory T regulatory cells and production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10. Menopause abrogates female protection from hypertension, which may be due to changes among anti-inflammatory T regulatory cell populations. Since development of novel treatments for hypertension has plateaued, determining the role of sex in the pathophysiology of hypertension may open new therapeutic avenues for both men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Comeau
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Unit, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Brandon G Shokoples
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Unit, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ernesto L Schiffrin
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Unit, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Medicine, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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13
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Dodd KC, Menon M. Sex bias in lymphocytes: Implications for autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:945762. [PMID: 36505451 PMCID: PMC9730535 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.945762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by a significant sex dimorphism, with women showing increased susceptibility to disease. This is, at least in part, due to sex-dependent differences in the immune system that are influenced by the complex interplay between sex hormones and sex chromosomes, with contribution from sociological factors, diet and gut microbiota. Sex differences are evident in the number and function of lymphocyte populations. Women mount a stronger pro-inflammatory response than males, with increased lymphocyte proliferation, activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, whereas men display expanded regulatory cell subsets. Ageing alters the immune landscape of men and women in differing ways, resulting in changes in autoimmune disease susceptibility. Here we review the current literature on sex differences in lymphocyte function, the factors that influence this, and the implications for autoimmune disease. We propose that improved understanding of sex bias in lymphocyte function can provide sex-specific tailoring of treatment strategies for better management of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine C. Dodd
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom,Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Madhvi Menon
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Madhvi Menon,
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Wesołowska A. Sex—the most underappreciated variable in research: insights from helminth-infected hosts. Vet Res 2022; 53:94. [PMID: 36397174 PMCID: PMC9672581 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-022-01103-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The sex of a host affects the intensity, prevalence, and severity of helminth infection. In many cases, one sex has been found to be more susceptible than the other, with the prevalence and intensity of helminth infections being generally higher among male than female hosts; however, many exceptions exist. This observed sex bias in parasitism results primarily from ecological, behavioural, and physiological differences between males and females. Complex interactions between these influences modulate the risk of infection. Indeed, an interplay among sex hormones, sex chromosomes, the microbiome and the immune system significantly contributes to the generation of sex bias among helminth-infected hosts. However, sex hormones not only can modulate the course of infection but also can be exploited by the parasites, and helminths appear to have developed molecules and pathways for this purpose. Furthermore, host sex may influence the efficacy of anti-helminth vaccines; however, although little data exist regarding this sex-dependent efficacy, host sex is known to influence the response to vaccines. Despite its importance, host sex is frequently overlooked in parasitological studies. This review focuses on the key contributors to sex bias in the case of helminth infection. The precise nature of the mechanisms/factors determining these sex-specific differences generally remains largely unknown, and this represents an obstacle in the development of control methods. There is an urgent need to identify any protective elements that could be targeted in future therapies to provide optimal disease management with regard to host sex. Hence, more research is needed into the impact of host sex on immunity and protection.
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Influence of Gestational Hormones on the Bacteria-Induced Cytokine Response in Periodontitis. Mediators Inflamm 2021; 2021:5834608. [PMID: 34707462 PMCID: PMC8545568 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5834608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the supporting structures of teeth. The presence of a bacterial biofilm initiates a destructive inflammatory process orchestrated by various inflammatory mediators, most notably proinflammatory cytokines, which are upregulated in the gingival crevicular fluid, leading to the formation of periodontal pockets. This represents a well-characterized microbial change during the transition from periodontal health to periodontitis; interestingly, the gestational condition increases the risk and severity of periodontal disease. Although the influence of periodontitis on pregnancy has been extensively reviewed, the relationship between pregnancy and the development/evolution of periodontitis has been little studied compared to the effect of periodontitis on adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review is aimed at summarizing the findings on the pregnancy-proinflammatory cytokine relationship and discussing its possible involvement in the development of periodontitis. We address (1) an overview of periodontal disease, (2) the immune response and possible involvement of proinflammatory cytokines in the development of periodontitis, (3) how bone tissue remodelling takes place with an emphasis on the involvement of the inflammatory response and metalloproteinases during periodontitis, and (4) the influence of hormonal profile during pregnancy on the development of periodontitis. Finally, we believe this review may be helpful for designing immunotherapies based on the stage of pregnancy to control the severity and pathology of periodontal disease.
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Maenosono R, Nian Y, Iske J, Liu Y, Minami K, Rommel T, Martin F, Abdi R, Azuma H, Rosner BA, Zhou H, Milford E, Elkhal A, Tullius SG. Recipient sex and estradiol levels affect transplant outcomes in an age-specific fashion. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:3239-3255. [PMID: 34050595 PMCID: PMC8924905 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Sex-specific influences have been shown for a variety of diseases. Whether donor or recipient sex and sex hormone levels impact alloimmune responses remains unclear. In unifactorial and multifactorial analyses of more than 400 000 SRTR listed kidney transplant patients, we found that younger female recipients had an inferior death-censored graft survival that was independent of donor sex. In contrast, graft survival was superior in older female recipients, suggesting the impact of recipient sex hormones over chromosomal sex mismatches. Those clinical changes were delineated in experimental skin and heart transplant models showing a prolongation of graft survival in ovariectomized young female recipients. In contrast, graft survival was comparable in ovariectomized and naïve old female recipients. Young ovariectomized mice showed reduced amounts and a compromised T cell proliferation. Deprivation of female hormones dampened the production of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17+ by CD4+ T cells while augmenting systemic counts of Tregs. Increasing estradiol concentrations in vitro promoted the switch of naïve CD4+ T cells into Th1 cells; high physiological estradiol concentrations dampening Th1 responses, promoted Tregs, and prolonged graft survival. Thus, clinical observations demonstrate age-specific graft survival patterns in female recipients. Estrogen levels, in turn, impact the fate of T cell subsets, providing relevant and novel information on age- and sex-specific alloimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoichi Maenosono
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Urology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yeqi Nian
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Kidney Transplantation, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jasper Iske
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Transplant Immunology, Integrated Research and Treatment Center Transplantation (IFB-Tx), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany
| | - Yang Liu
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Koichiro Minami
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Urology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tabea Rommel
- Medical School, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Friederike Martin
- Department of General-, Visceral- and Transplantation Surgery, Charité-Medical University, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reza Abdi
- Renal Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haruhito Azuma
- Department of Urology, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, Japan
| | - Bernhard A Rosner
- Department of Medicine, Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Ma., USA
| | - Hao Zhou
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edgar Milford
- Renal Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abdallah Elkhal
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Stefan G Tullius
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Chakraborty S, Pramanik J, Mahata B. Revisiting steroidogenesis and its role in immune regulation with the advanced tools and technologies. Genes Immun 2021; 22:125-140. [PMID: 34127827 PMCID: PMC8277576 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-021-00139-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Historically tools and technologies facilitated scientific discoveries. Steroid hormone research is not an exception. Unfortunately, the dramatic advancement of the field faded this research area and flagged it as a solved topic. However, it should have been the opposite. The area should glitter with its strong foundation and attract next-generation scientists. Over the past century, a myriad of new facts on biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology and pathology of the steroid hormones was discovered. Several innovations were made and translated into life-saving treatment strategies such as synthetic steroids, and inhibitors of steroidogenesis and steroid signaling. Steroid molecules exhibit their diverse effects on cell metabolism, salt and water balance, development and function of the reproductive system, pregnancy, and immune-cell function. Despite vigorous research, the molecular basis of the immunomodulatory effect of steroids is still mysterious. The recent excitement on local extra-glandular steroidogenesis in regulating inflammation and immunity is revitalizing the topic with a new perspective. Therefore, here we review the role of steroidogenesis in regulating inflammation and immunity, discuss the unresolved questions, and how this area can bring another golden age of steroid hormone research with the development of new tools and technologies and advancement of the scientific methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jhuma Pramanik
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bidesh Mahata
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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18
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Forsyth KS, Anguera MC. Time to get ill: the intersection of viral infections, sex, and the X chromosome. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 19:62-72. [PMID: 33073073 PMCID: PMC7553007 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2020.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Females have more robust immune responses than males, and viral infections are more severe for males. Hormones and genetic sex, namely the X chromosome, influence sex differences with immune responses. Here, we review recent findings underlying sexual dimorphism of disease susceptibility for two prevalent viral infections, influenza and SARS-CoV-2, which exhibit male-biased disease severity. Viral infections are proposed to be an initiating event for autoimmunity, which exhibits a female bias. We also review recent work elucidating the epigenetic and genetic contribution of X-Chromosome Inactivation maintenance, and X-linked gene expression, for the autoimmune disorder Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and highlight the complex considerations required for identifying underlying hormonal and genetic contributions responsible for sex differences in immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S Forsyth
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104, United States
| | - Montserrat C Anguera
- Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA 19104, United States
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19
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Impaired estrogen signaling underlies regulatory T cell loss-of-function in the chronically inflamed intestine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:17166-17176. [PMID: 32632016 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002266117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Signaling of 17β-estradiol (estrogen) through its two nuclear receptors, α and β (ERα, ERβ), is an important mechanism of transcriptional regulation. Although ERs are broadly expressed by cells of the immune system, the mechanisms by which they modulate immune responses remain poorly understood. ERβ-specific signaling is reduced in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease, and our previous work suggests that dysregulation of ERβ-specific signaling contributes to enhanced intestinal inflammation in female SAMP/YitFC mice, a spontaneous model of Crohn's disease-like ileitis. The present study builds on these prior observations to identify a nonredundant, immunoprotective role for ERβ-specific signaling in TGF-β-dependent regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation. Using a strain of congenic SAMP mice engineered to lack global expression of ERβ, we observed dramatic, female-specific exacerbation of intestinal inflammation accompanied by significant reductions in intestinal Treg frequency and function. Impaired Treg suppression in the absence of ERβ was associated with aberrant overexpression of Tsc22d3 (GILZ), a glucocorticoid-responsive transcription factor not normally expressed in mature Tregs, and ex vivo data reveal that forced overexpression of GILZ in mature Tregs inhibits their suppressive function. Collectively, our findings identify a pathway of estrogen-mediated immune regulation in the intestine, whereby homeostatic expression of ERβ normally functions to limit Treg-specific expression of GILZ, thereby maintaining effective immune suppression. Our data suggest that transcriptional cross-talk between glucocorticoid and steroid sex hormone signaling represents an important and understudied regulatory node in chronic inflammatory disease.
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20
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Segovia-Mendoza M, Morales-Montor J. Immune Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Cancer and the Participation of Estrogen and Its Receptors in Cancer Physiopathology. Front Immunol 2019; 10:348. [PMID: 30881360 PMCID: PMC6407672 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is characterized by cellular and molecular heterogeneity. Several molecular events are involved in controlling malignant cell process. In this sense, the importance of studying multiple cell alterations in this pathology is overriding. A well-identified fact on immune response is that it can vary depend on sex. Steroid hormones and their receptors may regulate different functions and the responses of several subpopulations of the immune system. Few reports are focused on the function of estrogen receptors (ERs) on immune cells and their roles in different breast cancer subtypes. Thus, the aim of this review is to investigate the immune infiltrating tumor microenvironment and prognosis conferred by it in different breast cancer subtypes, discuss the current knowledge and point out the roles of estrogens and its receptors on the infiltrating immune cells, as well as to identify how different immune subsets are modulated after anti-hormonal treatments in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To give an overview of recently published articles addressing the mechanisms underlying sex bias in autoimmune disease. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies investigating the origins of sex bias in autoimmune disease have revealed an extensive and interconnected network of genetic, hormonal, microbial, and environmental influences. Investigation of sex hormones has moved beyond profiling the effects of hormones on activity and prevalence of immune cell types to defining the specific immunity-related genes driving these changes. Deeper examination of the genetic content of the X and Y chromosomes and genetic escapees of X chromosome inactivation has revealed some key drivers of female-biased autoimmunity. Animal studies are offering further insights into the connections among microbiota, particularly that of the gut, and the immune system. SUMMARY Sex bias in autoimmune disease is the manifestation of a complex interplay of the sex chromosomes, sex hormones, the microbiota, and additional environmental and sociological factors.
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22
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Store-operated calcium entry in thrombosis and thrombo-inflammation. Cell Calcium 2018; 77:39-48. [PMID: 30530092 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceca.2018.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cytosolic free calcium (Ca2+) is a second messenger regulating a wide variety of functions in blood cells, including adhesion, activation, proliferation and migration. Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), triggered by depletion of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum, provides a main mechanism of regulated Ca2+ influx in blood cells. SOCE is mediated and regulated by isoforms of the ion channel proteins ORAI and TRP, and the transmembrane Ca2+ sensors stromal interaction molecules (STIMs), respectively. This report provides an overview of the (patho)physiological importance of SOCE in blood cells implicated in thrombosis and thrombo-inflammation, i.e. platelets and immune cells. We also discuss the physiological consequences of dysregulated SOCE in platelets and immune cells and the potential of SOCE inhibition as a therapeutic option to prevent or treat arterial thrombosis as well as thrombo-inflammatory disease states such as ischemic stroke.
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Özaydın T, Öznurlu Y, Sur E, Çelik İ, Uluışık D. The effects of bisphenol A on some plasma cytokine levels and distribution of CD8 + and CD4 + T lymphocytes in spleen, ileal Peyer's patch and bronchus associated lymphoid tissue in rats. Acta Histochem 2018; 120:728-733. [PMID: 30107890 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The effects of bisphenol A on the some plasma cytokine levels and distribution of CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes in spleen, ilealPeyer's patch and bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue in rats were investigated. A total of fourty male Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups including 8 rats in each one: control, vehicle, BPA 5, BPA 50 and BPA 500 groups. Doses of 5, 50 and 500 μg/kg BPA were dissolved in ethanol, then mixed with corn oil. The control group received no treatment. The vehicle group was given the ethanol-corn oil mixture. BPA 5, BPA 50 and BPA 500 groups were given, respectively, 5, 50, and 500 μg/kg/day orally. In blood samples, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α plasma levels were determined with ELISA. Tissue samples (spleen, ileal Peyer's patches and lung) were processed by means of routine histological techniques. CD4 and CD8 were stained immunohistochemically. Data obtained from this study showed that, BPA causes the alteration on immune parameters including cytokine profile, distribution of CD8+ and CD4+ T lymhpocytes in spleen and ileal Peyer's patches. Present study indicated that BPA may affect immune systems even at lower doses.Disruption of immun system cells and cytokine levels can result in harmful outcomes triggering autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiencies.
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24
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Schwinge D, Schramm C. Sex-related factors in autoimmune liver diseases. Semin Immunopathol 2018; 41:165-175. [DOI: 10.1007/s00281-018-0715-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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25
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Bereshchenko O, Bruscoli S, Riccardi C. Glucocorticoids, Sex Hormones, and Immunity. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1332. [PMID: 29946321 PMCID: PMC6006719 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 153] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid hormones regulate essential body functions in mammals, control cell metabolism, growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Importantly, they are potent suppressors of inflammation, and multiple immune-modulatory mechanisms involving leukocyte apoptosis, differentiation, and cytokine production have been described. Due to their potent anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive activity, synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most prescribed drugs used for treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It is long been noted that males and females exhibit differences in the prevalence in several autoimmune diseases (AD). This can be due to the role of sexual hormones in regulation of the immune responses, acting through their endogenous nuclear receptors to mediate gene expression and generate unique gender-specific cellular environments. Given the fact that GCs are the primary physiological anti-inflammatory hormones, and that sex hormones may also exert immune-modulatory functions, the link between GCs and sex hormones may exist. Understanding the nature of this possible crosstalk is important to unravel the reason of sexual disparity in AD and to carefully prescribe these drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this review, we discuss similarities and differences between the effects of sex hormones and GCs on the immune system, to highlight possible axes of functional interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oxana Bereshchenko
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.,Department of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Stefano Bruscoli
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Carlo Riccardi
- Section of Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ospemifene, an estrogen receptor agonist/antagonist approved for the treatment of dyspareunia and vaginal dryness in postmenopausal women, has potential new indications as an immune modulator. The overall objective of the present series of preclinical studies was to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of ospemifene in combination with a peptide cancer vaccine. METHODS Immune regulating effects, mechanism of action and structure activity relationships of ospemifene and related compounds were evaluated by examining expression of T-cell activating cytokines in vitro, and antigen-specific immune response and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity in vivo. The effects of ospemifene (OSP) on the immune response to a peptide cancer vaccine (PV) were evaluated after chronic [control (n = 22); OSP 50 mg/kg (n = 16); PV (n = 6); OSP+PV (n = 11)], intermittent [control (n = 10); OSP 10 and 50 mg/kg (n = 11); PV (n = 11); combination treatment (n = 11 each dose)] and pretreatment [control; OSP 100 mg/kg; PV 100 μg; combination treatment (n = 8 all groups)] ospemifene oral dosing schedules in a total of 317 mixed-sex tumor-bearing and nontumor-bearing mice. RESULTS The results showed that ospemifene induced expression of the key TH1 cytokines interferon gamma and interleukin-2 in vitro, which may be mediated by stimulating T-cells through phosphoinositide 3-kinase and calmodulin signaling pathways. In combination with an antigen-specific peptide cancer vaccine, ospemifene increased antigen-specific immune response and increased cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity in tumor-bearing and nontumor-bearing mice. The pretreatment, intermittent, and chronic dosing schedules of ospemifene activate naive T-cells, modulate antigen-induced tolerance and reduce tumor-associated, pro-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, ospemifene's dose response and schedule-dependent immune modulating activity offers a method of tailoring and augmenting the efficacy of previously failed antigen-specific cancer vaccines for a wide range of malignancies.
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Boese AC, Chang L, Yin KJ, Chen YE, Lee JP, Hamblin MH. Sex differences in abdominal aortic aneurysms. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 314:H1137-H1152. [PMID: 29350999 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00519.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disorder with a high case fatality rate in the instance of rupture. AAA is a multifactorial disease, and the etiology is still not fully understood. AAA is more likely to occur in men, but women have a greater risk of rupture and worse prognosis. Women are reportedly protected against AAA possibly by premenopausal levels of estrogen and are, on average, diagnosed at older ages than men. Here, we review the present body of research on AAA pathophysiology in humans, animal models, and cultured cells, with an emphasis on sex differences and sex steroid hormone signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin C Boese
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Lin Chang
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ke-Jie Yin
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jean-Pyo Lee
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Milton H Hamblin
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
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28
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Navarro FC, Watkins SK. Estrogen Stimulation Differentially Impacts Human Male and Female Antigen-Specific T Cell Anti-Tumor Function and Polyfunctionality. GENDER AND THE GENOME 2017. [DOI: 10.1089/gg.2017.0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific differences exist in innate and adaptive immune responses and are mediated by hormone signaling. Estrogen is able to differentially modulate the development and differentiation of immune cells, including T cells. However, the effect of estrogen on T cell function, especially at concentrations other than physiological, remains controversial and incompletely understood. Immunotherapy is one of the most promising cancer treatments to date with a high probability of future enhancements. The adoptive transfer of genetically modified T cells can mediate tumor regression but there are still many hurdles to enhancing the proficiency of this treatment. This study demonstrates for the first time that one major aspect to consider for designing potent immunotherapies for cancer is the impact of the patient's sex. Herein, using two different Ag-specific T cell groups, we investigated the effect of sex and estrogen in antitumor effector responses, T helper cytokine secretion, and, importantly, on T cell whole polyfunctionality important for memory T cell development and survival. Major differences were observed in T cell function and polyfunctionality between sexes and on E2 treatment. The findings of this study may be critical to understand the results of immunotherapy on different patients and for the enhancement of immunotherapy for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flor C. Navarro
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Stephanie K. Watkins
- Department of Surgery, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois
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29
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Carvajal-Hausdorf DE, Mani N, Velcheti V, Schalper KA, Rimm DL. Objective measurement and clinical significance of IDO1 protein in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. J Immunother Cancer 2017; 5:81. [PMID: 29037255 PMCID: PMC5644103 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-017-0285-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Immunostimulatory therapies targeting immune-suppressive pathways produce durable responses in advanced solid tumors. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is the rate-limiting oxidoreductase that catalyzes the degradation of tryptophan to kynurenine. IDO induces immune tolerance by downregulating CD8+ and effector CD4+ T cell responses. IDO1, the most active isoform, is expressed in diverse tumor types and can be targeted using small molecule inhibitors. We used an objective, in situ assay to measure IDO1 in a collection of hormone receptor-positive breast cancers (HR+ BC). Methods IDO1 protein was measured using quantitative immunofluorescence in 362 stage I-III HR+ BC represented in tissue microarrays. IDO1 levels were determined in the tumor and stroma, and stratified using median cut-point. Associations between IDO1, clinico-pathological features and CD3+, CD8+, CD20+ and FOXP3 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were examined using χ2 and Mann-Whitney tests. Survival was studied using Kaplan-Meier estimator and a proportional hazards model. All tests were two-sided. Results IDO1 protein was observed in 76.2% of HR+ BC. There was no association between IDO1 and major clinico-pathological characteristics. Increased IDO1 correlated with decreased CD20+ infiltration (P = 0.0004) but not with CD3+, CD8+ or FOXP3 levels. Elevated IDO1 expression was associated with worse 20-year overall survival (log-rank P = 0.02, HR = 1.39, 95% C.I.: 1.05-1.82). IDO1 scores were independently associated with outcome in multivariable analysis. Conclusions IDO1 protein is expressed in the majority of HR+ BC and is an independent negative prognostic marker. Additionally, IDO1 expression is negatively associated with tumor B-cell infiltration. Measurement of IDO1 has the potential to identify a population that might derive benefit from IDO1 blockade. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40425-017-0285-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Carvajal-Hausdorf
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Anatomía Patológica, Clínica Alemana- Facultad de Medicina Universidad del Desarrollo, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Nikita Mani
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Translational Immuno-oncology Laboratory, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vamsidhar Velcheti
- Solid Tumor Oncology, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Kurt A Schalper
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Anatomía Patológica, Clínica Alemana- Facultad de Medicina Universidad del Desarrollo, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile.,Translational Immuno-oncology Laboratory, Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David L Rimm
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Cetkovic-Cvrlje M, Thinamany S, Bruner KA. Bisphenol A (BPA) aggravates multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced Type 1 diabetes in C57BL/6 mice. J Immunotoxicol 2017; 14:160-168. [DOI: 10.1080/1547691x.2017.1334722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Cetkovic-Cvrlje
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA
- Laboratory for Immunology, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA
| | - Sinduja Thinamany
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA
- Laboratory for Immunology, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA
| | - Kylie A. Bruner
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN, USA
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Dai R, Cowan C, Heid B, Khan D, Liang Z, Pham CTN, Ahmed SA. Neutrophils and neutrophil serine proteases are increased in the spleens of estrogen-treated C57BL/6 mice and several strains of spontaneous lupus-prone mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172105. [PMID: 28192517 PMCID: PMC5305105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen, a natural immunomodulator, regulates the development and function of diverse immune cell types. There is now renewed attention on neutrophils and neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) such as neutrophil elastase (NE), proteinase 3 (PR3), and cathepsin G (CG) in inflammation and autoimmunity. In this study, we found that although estrogen treatment significantly reduced total splenocytes number, it markedly increased the splenic neutrophil absolute numbers in estrogen-treated C57BL/6 (B6) mice when compared to placebo controls. Concomitantly, the levels of NSPs and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were highly upregulated in the splenocytes from estrogen-treated mice. Despite the critical role of NSPs in the regulation of non-infectious inflammation, by employing NE-/-/PR3-/-/CG-/- triple knock out mice, we demonstrated that the absence of NSPs affected neither estrogen’s ability to increase splenic neutrophils nor the induction of inflammatory mediators (IFNγ, IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, MCP-1, and NO) from ex vivo activated splenocytes. Depletion of neutrophils in vitro in splenocytes with anti-Ly6G antibody also had no obvious effect on NSP expression or LPS-induced IFNγ and MCP-1. These data suggest that estrogen augments NSPs, which appears to be independent of enhancing ex vivo inflammatory responses. Since estrogen has been implicated in regulating several experimental autoimmune diseases, we extended our observations in estrogen-treated B6 mice to spontaneous autoimmune-prone female MRL-lpr, B6-lpr and NZB/WF1 mice. There was a remarkable commonality with regards to the increase of neutrophils and concomitant increase of NSPs and MPO in the splenic cells of different strains of autoimmune-prone mice and estrogen-treated B6 mice. Collectively, since NSPs and neutrophils are involved in diverse pro-inflammatory activities, these data suggest a potential pathologic implication of increased neutrophils and NSPs that merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujuan Dai
- Infectious Disease Research Facility (IDRF), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Catharine Cowan
- Infectious Disease Research Facility (IDRF), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Bettina Heid
- Infectious Disease Research Facility (IDRF), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Deena Khan
- Infectious Disease Research Facility (IDRF), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Zhihong Liang
- Infectious Disease Research Facility (IDRF), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Christine T. N. Pham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - S. Ansar Ahmed
- Infectious Disease Research Facility (IDRF), Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Increased Fetal Thymocytes Apoptosis Contributes to Prenatal Nicotine Exposure-induced Th1/Th2 Imbalance in Male Offspring Mice. Sci Rep 2016; 6:39013. [PMID: 27976742 PMCID: PMC5157046 DOI: 10.1038/srep39013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine, a definite risk factor during pregnancy, is an immunomodulator. This study was designed to investigate the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) on the balance of Th1/Th2 in offspring, and further explore the developmental origin mechanisms from the perspective of fetal thymocytes apoptosis. Pregnant Balb/c mice were administered 1.5 mg/kg nicotine subcutaneously twice per day from gestational day (GD) 9 to GD18. Results showed that PNE could cause a Th2 shift in male offspring, manifested as increased ratio of IgG1/IgG2a, IL-4 production in serum, and IL-4/IFN-γ expression ratio in spleen. Increased apoptosis of total thymocytes and CD4SP and reduced cell proportion of CD4SP were found in PNE male offspring on postnatal day (PND) 14 and PND 49. In the fetuses, decreased body weight and organ index of fetal thymus, histological changes in fetal thymus, reduced CD4SP proportion and increased fetal thymocyte apoptosis were observed in nicotine group. The increased mRNA expression of genes involved in Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway and protein expression of Fas were also detected. In conclusion, PNE could cause a Th2 shift in male offspring mediated by reduced CD4+ T cells output, which may result from the increasing apoptosis of total thymocytes and CD4SP.
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Mahjoub S, Ghadi A, Pourbagher R, Hajian-Tilaki K, Masrour-Roudsari J. Effects of Regular Treadmill Exercise on a DNA Oxidative-Damage Marker and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rat Hippocampal Tissue. J Clin Neurol 2016; 12:414-418. [PMID: 27486937 PMCID: PMC5063866 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2016.12.4.414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Regular exercise can result in changes in the levels of oxidative stress in the hippocampus; however, little attention has been paid to physical-activity-induced neuronal protection to exposure to lead compounds. This study investigated the effects of regular treadmill exercise on a DNA oxidative-damage marker [8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)] and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of hippocampal tissue in lead-acetate exposed rats. Methods This study investigated the effects of 8 weeks of regular treadmill exercise on 8-OHdG and the TAC of hippocampal tissue in lead-acetate-exposed rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: baseline, sham (control), lead, and exercise+lead. The exercise program involved running on a treadmill with increasing intensity five times a week for 8 weeks. Animals in the lead and exercise+lead groups received lead acetate at 20 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally three times weekly for 8 weeks. Animals in the sham group received solvent (ethyl oleate) at 30 mg/kg body weight three times weekly for 8 weeks. TAC and 8-OHdG were measured by spectrophotometric and ELISA techniques, respectively. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test with a significance cutoff of p≤0.05. Results The level of 8-OHdG and the TAC were significantly higher and lower, respectively, in the lead group than in the baseline and sham groups (p<0.01). However, the 8-OHdG level and TAC value in hippocampal tissue were significantly decreased and increased, respectively, in the exercise+lead group relative to the lead group (p<0.05). Conclusions The TAC of hippocampal tissue may be directly associated with neural protection mechanisms of exercise following lead acetate injection, and the beneficial effects of regular exercise in preventing hippocampal neuronal damage could be due to decreased hippocampal oxidative stress such as reflected by a lower 8-OHdG level and increased TAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soleiman Mahjoub
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.,Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Arezoo Ghadi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Amol, Iran
| | - Roghayeh Pourbagher
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Jila Masrour-Roudsari
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Health Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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Khan D, Ansar Ahmed S. The Immune System Is a Natural Target for Estrogen Action: Opposing Effects of Estrogen in Two Prototypical Autoimmune Diseases. Front Immunol 2016; 6:635. [PMID: 26779182 PMCID: PMC4701921 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Analogous to other physiological systems, the immune system also demonstrates remarkable sex differences. Although the reasons for sex differences in immune responses are not precisely understood, it potentially involves differences in sex hormones (estrogens, androgens, and differential sex hormone receptor-mediated events), X-chromosomes, microbiome, epigenetics among others. Overall, females tend to have more responsive and robust immune system compared to their male counterparts. It is therefore not surprising that females respond more aggressively to self-antigens and are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. Female hormone (estrogen or 17β-estradiol) can potentially act on all cellular subsets of the immune system through estrogen receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms. This minireview highlights differential expression of estrogen receptors on immune cells, major estrogen-mediated signaling pathways, and their effect on immune cells. Since estrogen has varied effects in female-predominant autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, we will mechanistically postulate the potential differential role of estrogen in these chronic debilitating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deena Khan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA
| | - S Ansar Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, VA , USA
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Huber S. ER β and ER α Differentially Regulate NKT and V γ4 + T-cell Activation and T-regulatory Cell Response in Coxsackievirus B3 Infected Mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 6:1-9. [PMID: 26925301 DOI: 10.4172/2155-9899.1000372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) induced myocarditis is sex dependent with males developing more severe disease than females. Previous studies had shown that sex-associated hormones determine the sex bias with testosterone and progesterone promoting myocarditis while estrogen (E2) is protective. There are two major estrogen receptors: estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ). The goal of the current study was to determine the relative role of these receptors to myocarditis susceptibility and the mechanism of their action. METHODS Female C57Bl/6 wild-type mice and C57Bl/6 mice deficient in ERα, or ERβ were infected intraperitoneally with 102 plaque forming units CVB3. After 7 days, hearts were evaluated for virus titers by plaque forming assay and myocardial inflammation. Lymphoid cells either from the spleen or infiltrating the heart were characterized by labeling with antibodies including CD4, CD25, FoxP3, IFNγ, IL-4, CD11b, CD1d, Vγ4, TCRβ, or with CD1d-tetramer and evaluated by flow cytometry. To confirm that signaling through distinct estrogen receptors controlled myocarditis susceptibility and T-regulatory cell response, male C57Bl/6 mice were treated with the ERα-specific agonist, propyl pyrazole triol (PPT), ERβ agonist, diarylpropionitrile (DPN), or 17-β-estradiol (E2) as a non-specific estrogen receptor agonist. RESULTS Myocarditis, cardiac virus titers, and CD4+ Th1 (IFNγ) bias were increased in infected ERαKO and decreased in infected ERβKO mice compared to C57Bl/6 controls. CD4+Th1 bias and myocarditis severity correlated inversely with numbers of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T regulatory cells which were decreased in ERαKO and increased in ERβKO mice. Increased T-regulatory cells corresponded to a preferential activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells in ERβKO mice. Male C57Bl/6 mice treated with DPN showed increased myocarditis while those treated with PPT and E2 showed decreased myocarditis corresponding to either decreased (DPN) or increased (PPT/E2) T-regulatory cell responses in male C57Bl/6 mice. DPN and PPT treatment had no effect on T-regulatory cell responses in NKT KO or γδKO mice. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that ERα and ERβ both modulated CVB3 myocarditis susceptibility but in opposite directions and that their predominant effect is mediated through their ability to alter NKT and Vγ4+ innate T cell responses in the infected host. It is these innate T cells which positively or negatively modulate T-regulatory cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Huber
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont, Colchester, Vermont 05446, USA
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Abstract
A dose-dependent combination of environmental exposures, estrogenic hormones and genetic predisposition is thought to be required for lupus to develop and flare, but how the environment modifies the immune system in genetically predisposed people is unclear. Current evidence indicates that environmental agents that inhibit DNA methylation can convert normal antigen-specific CD4+ T lymphocytes into autoreactive, cytotoxic, pro-inflammatory cells that are sufficient to cause lupus-like autoimmunity in animal models, and that the same changes in DNA methylation characterize CD4+ T cells from patients with active lupus. Environmental agents implicated in inhibiting T-cell DNA methylation include the lupus-inducing drugs procainamide and hydralazine, as well as diet, and agents causing oxidative stress, such as smoking, UV light exposure, and infections, which have been associated with lupus onset or disease activity. Other studies demonstrate that demethylated T cells cause only anti-DNA antibodies in mice lacking a genetic predisposition to lupus, but are sufficient to cause lupus-like autoimmunity in genetically predisposed mice and likely people, and that estrogens augment the disease. Collectively, these studies suggest that environmental agents that inhibit DNA methylation, together with lupus genes and estrogens or endocrine disruptors, combine in a dose-dependent fashion to cause lupus flares.
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Affiliation(s)
- E C Somers
- 1Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
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Karpuzoglu E, Schmiedt CW, Pardo J, Hansen M, Guo TL, Holladay SD, Gogal RM. Serine protease inhibition attenuates rIL-12-induced GZMA activity and proinflammatory events by modulating the Th2 profile from estrogen-treated mice. Endocrinology 2014; 155:2909-23. [PMID: 24840346 PMCID: PMC4097994 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen has potent immunomodulatory effects on proinflammatory responses, which can be mediated by serine proteases. We now demonstrate that estrogen increased the extracellular expression and IL-12-induced activity of a critical member of serine protease family Granzyme A, which has been shown to possess a novel inflammatory persona. The inhibition of serine protease activity with inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride significantly diminished enhanced production of proinflammatory interferon-γ, IL-1β, IL-1α, and Granzyme A activity even in the presence of a Th1-inducing cytokine, IL-12 from splenocytes from in vivo estrogen-treated mice. Inhibition of serine protease activity selectively promoted secretion of Th2-specific IL-4, nuclear phosphorylated STAT6A, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6A translocation, and STAT6A DNA binding in IL-12-stimulated splenocytes from estrogen-treated mice. Inhibition with 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride reversed the down-regulation of Th2 transcription factors, GATA3 and c-Maf in splenocytes from estrogen-exposed mice. Although serine protease inactivation enhanced the expression of Th2-polarizing factors, it did not reverse estrogen-modulated decrease of phosphorylated STAT5, a key factor in Th2 development. Collectively, data suggest that serine protease inactivity augments the skew toward a Th2-like profile while down-regulating IL-12-induced proinflammatory Th1 biomolecules upon in vivo estrogen exposure, which implies serine proteases as potential regulators of inflammation. Thus, these studies may provide a potential mechanism underlying the immunomodulatory effect of estrogen and insight into new therapeutic strategies for proinflammatory and female-predominant autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebru Karpuzoglu
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Diagnostic Imaging (E.K., T.L.G., S.D.H., R.M.G.), and Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery (C.W.S., M.H.), College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602; and Immune Effector Cells Group (J.P.), Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragon), Biomedical Research Centre of Aragon (CIBA), Nanoscience Institute of Aragon (INA), Aragon I+D Foundation (ARAID), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
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Tasker C, Ding J, Schmolke M, Rivera-Medina A, García-Sastre A, Chang TL. 17β-estradiol protects primary macrophages against HIV infection through induction of interferon-alpha. Viral Immunol 2014; 27:140-50. [PMID: 24801776 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2013.0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen has been shown to increase resistance to HIV/SIV transmission by increasing the thickness of the genital epithelium. The immunological role of estrogen in HIV infection of primary target cells is less well characterized. We have found that primary macrophages are a target for anti-HIV activity of 17β-estradiol (E2). E2 did not affect surface expression of CD4 and HIV co-receptors nor HIV attachment to monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). In addition, E2 treatment blocked infection by a co-receptor-independent HIV-1VSV-G pseudotyped virus. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of HIV reverse transcribed DNA products indicated that E2 blocked HIV reverse transcription. E2 upregulated gene expression of interferons (IFNs) in MDMs from multiple donors. However, induction of host restriction factors APOBEC3G, APOBEC3F, or SAMHD1 was not consistent, with exception of APOBEC3A. Anti-HIV activity of E2 was abolished in the presence of IFN-α neutralizing antibody, and was absent in bone marrow-derived macrophages from IFN-α receptor deficient mice. Interestingly, HIV overcame E2-mediated HIV inhibition by suppressing induction of IFNs when MDMs were exposed to HIV before E2 treatment. These results offer a new mechanism of E2 on HIV inhibition. Future studies on the interplay between HIV and E2-mediated innate immune responses will likely provide insights relevant for development of effective strategies for HIV prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carley Tasker
- 1 Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences-New Jersey Medical School , Newark, New Jersey
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Estrogen modulates neural–immune interactions through intracellular signaling pathways and antioxidant enzyme activity in the spleen of middle-aged ovariectomized female rats. J Neuroimmunol 2014; 267:7-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Kim JH, Sartor MA, Rozek LS, Faulk C, Anderson OS, Jones TR, Nahar MS, Dolinoy DC. Perinatal bisphenol A exposure promotes dose-dependent alterations of the mouse methylome. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:30. [PMID: 24433282 PMCID: PMC3902427 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Environmental factors during perinatal development may influence developmental plasticity and disease susceptibility via alterations to the epigenome. Developmental exposure to the endocrine active compound, bisphenol A (BPA), has previously been associated with altered methylation at candidate gene loci. Here, we undertake the first genome-wide characterization of DNA methylation profiles in the liver of murine offspring exposed perinatally to multiple doses of BPA through the maternal diet. Results Using a tiered focusing approach, our strategy proceeds from unbiased broad DNA methylation analysis using methylation-based next generation sequencing technology to in-depth quantitative site-specific CpG methylation determination using the Sequenom EpiTYPER MassARRAY platform to profile liver DNA methylation patterns in offspring maternally exposed to BPA during gestation and lactation to doses ranging from 0 BPA/kg (Ctr), 50 μg BPA/kg (UG), or 50 mg BPA/kg (MG) diet (N = 4 per group). Genome-wide analyses indicate non-monotonic effects of DNA methylation patterns following perinatal exposure to BPA, corroborating previous studies using multiple doses of BPA with non-monotonic outcomes. We observed enrichment of regions of altered methylation (RAMs) within CpG island (CGI) shores, but little evidence of RAM enrichment in CGIs. An analysis of promoter regions identified several hundred novel BPA-associated methylation events, and methylation alterations in the Myh7b and Slc22a12 gene promoters were validated. Using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, a number of candidate genes that have previously been associated with BPA-related gene expression changes were identified, and gene set enrichment testing identified epigenetically dysregulated pathways involved in metabolism and stimulus response. Conclusions In this study, non-monotonic dose dependent alterations in DNA methylation among BPA-exposed mouse liver samples and their relevant pathways were identified and validated. The comprehensive methylome map presented here provides candidate loci underlying the role of early BPA exposure and later in life health and disease status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dana C Dolinoy
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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Polese B, Gridelet V, Araklioti E, Martens H, Perrier d’Hauterive S, Geenen V. The Endocrine Milieu and CD4 T-Lymphocyte Polarization during Pregnancy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:106. [PMID: 25071722 PMCID: PMC4083450 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Accepted: 06/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acceptance of the fetal semi-allograft by the mother's immune system has become the focus of intensive research. CD4+ T cells are important actors in the establishment of pregnancy. Th1/Th2 paradigm has been expanded to include CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Pregnancy hormones exert very significant modulatory properties on the maternal immune system. In this review, we describe mechanisms by which the endocrine milieu modulates CD4 T cell polarization during pregnancy. We first focused on Treg and Th17 cells and on their importance for pregnancy. Secondly, we review the effects of pregnancy hormones [progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2)] on immune cells previously described, with a particular attention to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The importance of Treg cells for pregnancy is evidenced. They are recruited before implantation and are essential for pregnancy maintenance. Decreased number or less efficient Treg cells are implicated in fertility disorders. As for Th17 cells, the few available studies suggest that they have a negative impact on fertility. Th17 frequency is increased in infertile patients. With the combination of its pro-effects on Th2 and Treg cells and anti-effects on Th1 and Th17 cells, P4 contributes to establishment of a favorable environment for pregnancy. E2 effects are more dependent on the context but it seems that E2 promotes Treg and Th2 cells while it inhibits Th1 cells. hCG positively influences activities of Treg and uterine natural killer cells. This embryo signal is an essential actor for the success of pregnancy, both as the endocrine factor regulating P4 secretion by the ovarian corpus luteum, but also as a paracrine agent during implantation as well as an angiogenic and immunologic mediator during the course of gestation. Luteinizing hormone (LH) immune properties begin to be studied but its positive impact on Treg cells suggests that LH could be a considerable immunomodulator in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Polese
- GIGA-I3, Center of Immunoendocrinology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Barbara Polese, GIGA-I3, Center of Immunoendocrinology, University of Liege, CHU-B34, Sart Tilman, Liège B-4000, Belgium e-mail:
| | - Virginie Gridelet
- GIGA-I3, Center of Immunoendocrinology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Eleni Araklioti
- GIGA-I3, Center of Immunoendocrinology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Henri Martens
- GIGA-I3, Center of Immunoendocrinology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Vincent Geenen
- GIGA-I3, Center of Immunoendocrinology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
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Hao R, Bondesson M, Singh AV, Riu A, McCollum CW, Knudsen TB, Gorelick DA, Gustafsson JÅ. Identification of estrogen target genes during zebrafish embryonic development through transcriptomic analysis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e79020. [PMID: 24223173 PMCID: PMC3819264 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen signaling is important for vertebrate embryonic development. Here we have used zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a vertebrate model to analyze estrogen signaling during development. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 1 µM 17β-estradiol (E2) or vehicle from 3 hours to 4 days post fertilization (dpf), harvested at 1, 2, 3 and 4 dpf, and subjected to RNA extraction for transcriptome analysis using microarrays. Differentially expressed genes by E2-treatment were analyzed with hierarchical clustering followed by biological process and tissue enrichment analysis. Markedly distinct sets of genes were up and down-regulated by E2 at the four different time points. Among these genes, only the well-known estrogenic marker vtg1 was co-regulated at all time points. Despite this, the biological functional categories targeted by E2 were relatively similar throughout zebrafish development. According to knowledge-based tissue enrichment, estrogen responsive genes were clustered mainly in the liver, pancreas and brain. This was in line with the developmental dynamics of estrogen-target tissues that were visualized using transgenic zebrafish containing estrogen responsive elements driving the expression of GFP (Tg(5xERE:GFP)). Finally, the identified embryonic estrogen-responsive genes were compared to already published estrogen-responsive genes identified in male adult zebrafish (Gene Expression Omnibus database). The expressions of a few genes were co-regulated by E2 in both embryonic and adult zebrafish. These could potentially be used as estrogenic biomarkers for exposure to estrogens or estrogenic endocrine disruptors in zebrafish. In conclusion, our data suggests that estrogen effects on early embryonic zebrafish development are stage- and tissue- specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixin Hao
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Maria Bondesson
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Amar V. Singh
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Anne Riu
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Catherine W. McCollum
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Thomas B. Knudsen
- National Center for Computational Toxicology, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Gorelick
- Department of Embryology, Carnegie Institute for Science, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jan-Åke Gustafsson
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
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Selective modulation of lymphoproliferation and cytokine production via intracellular signaling targets by α1- and α2-adrenoceptors and estrogen in splenocytes. Int Immunopharmacol 2013; 17:774-84. [PMID: 24055020 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2013.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The mechanistic implications of the presence of sympathetic noradrenergic innervation in lymphoid organs in synaptic association with lymphocytes open to the influence of hormonal fluctuations throughout reproductive age in females has not been investigated yet. OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of alpha-adrenoceptors (α-ARs) and estrogen in modulating immune responses in the spleen through intracellular signaling targets such as ERK 1/2, CREB, Akt, NF-κB. METHODS Splenocytes from young Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with α1- and α2- AR specific agonists, phenylephrine and clonidine, without and with 17b-estradiol or specific antagonists prazosin and idazoxan to examine their effects on proliferation, cytokine production, nitric oxide production, and intracellular signaling molecules. RESULTS α1-AR stimulation inhibited lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-g production and enhanced IL-2, p-ERK and p-CREB expression. Co-stimulation using estrogen enhanced cytokine production and suppressed p-Akt expression. α1-AR blockade reversed agonist-induced IL-2 production alone. α2-AR stimulation inhibited lymphocyte proliferation, p-ERK and p-CREB expression, and increased p-NF-kB and p-Akt expression. Co-stimulation with estrogen increased IL-2 and suppressed p-CREB expression. α2-AR Idazoxan prevented IL-2 production in the absence and presence of estrogen, and reversed clonidine-induced increase in NO production and p-ERK and p-Akt expression in the presence of estrogen. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the cell-mediated immune responses are selectively modulated depending upon the subtypes of α-AR and further, these effects are differentially regulated in the presence of estrogen mediated through selective alteration in the intracellular signaling pathways involving ERK, CREB, Akt, and NF-κB.
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Priyanka HP, Krishnan HC, Singh RV, Hima L, Thyagarajan S. Estrogen modulates in vitro T cell responses in a concentration- and receptor-dependent manner: effects on intracellular molecular targets and antioxidant enzymes. Mol Immunol 2013; 56:328-39. [PMID: 23911387 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2013.05.226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2013] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen is a key hormone in facilitating ovulation and maintenance of pregnancy in young females and subsequent decline in its production contributes to the development of age-associated disorders such as hormone-dependent cancer, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases. The mechanisms through which estrogen promotes female-specific diseases with advancing age are unclear especially, its effects on immune system which is vital for the maintenance of homeostasis and health. Although the diverse effects of estrogen on Th immunity (Th1 vs. Th2) have been characterized in several cell-types and animal models, there is no direct mechanistic study to understand its immunomodulatory actions. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the in vitro effects of 17β-estradiol on lymphocytes from the spleen influence cell-mediated immune responses based on its concentration and type of estrogen receptors (ERs) and to assess its mechanism of action at the cellular level. Lymphocytes from the spleens of young Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and incubated with various concentrations of 17β-estradiol (10(-6)-10(-14)M) and specific ERα- and β-agonists (10(-6)M, 10(-8)M and 10(-10)M) without or with concanavalin A (Con A) to measure T lymphocyte proliferation, IFN-γ and IL-2 production, p-ERK 1/2, p-CREB, and p-Akt, activities of antioxidant enzymes[superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], and nitric oxide (NO) production. The specificity of ER-mediated actions in lymphocytes was examined by coincubation with nonspecific ER antagonists ICI(182,780) or tamoxifen. Lower concentrations of 17β-estradiol enhanced proliferation of T lymphocytes and IFN-γ production without or with Con A stimulation but had no effect on IL-2 production. ERα and ERβ agonists induced an increase in T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production and these effects were inhibited by tamoxifen. ERβ agonist alone enhanced IL-2 production by the lymphocytes. Coincubation with 17β-estradiol and ERα- and β-agonists augmented p-ERK 1/2, p-CREB, and p-Akt expression in the lymphocytes and tamoxifen reversed the ER agonist-induced effects on these molecular targets. Estrogen increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx in both non-stimulated and Con A-stimulated splenocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. Both ERα- and β-agonists enhanced CAT and GPx activity while ERα-agonist decreased SOD activity and ERβ-agonist increased SOD activity. The effects of ER agonists on the antioxidant enzymes were reversed by ICI(182,780). Coincubation of lower doses of 17β-estradiol with Con A and both ER agonists enhanced NO production while higher dose of estrogen with Con A and ERα agonist suppressed its production and these effects were reversed by tamoxifen. Taken together, these results suggest that the effects of estrogen on the cell-mediated immune responses are dependent upon its concentrations and mediated through specific estrogen receptors involving intracellular signaling pathways and antioxidant enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah P Priyanka
- Integrative Medicine Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, SRM University, Kattankulathur 603203 Tamil Nadu, India
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45
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Singh RP, Massachi I, Manickavel S, Singh S, Rao NP, Hasan S, Mc Curdy DK, Sharma S, Wong D, Hahn BH, Rehimi H. The role of miRNA in inflammation and autoimmunity. Autoimmun Rev 2013; 12:1160-5. [PMID: 23860189 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2013.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2013] [Accepted: 06/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that modulate the expression of multiple protein-encoding genes at the post-transcriptional level. They have recently been recognized as powerful regulators of numerous genes and pathways in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The targets of most miRNAs remain unknown and their roles in biological processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, and death (apoptosis) are not clearly understood. In this review we will discuss how certain candidate miRNAs affect inflammatory and immune mediated diseases by regulating their cellular and molecular targets. We focused the influence of gender and sex hormones on miRNA. We believe that understanding the role of miRNAs could shed light on the cause and progression of many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases and eventually lay the groundwork for therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ram Pyare Singh
- Division of Rheumatology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1670, USA.
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Serine protease inhibitor, 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzene sulfonyl fluoride, impairs IL-12-induced activation of pSTAT4β, NFκB, and select pro-inflammatory mediators from estrogen-treated mice. Immunobiology 2011; 216:1264-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2011.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 07/03/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Sex chromosome complement contributes to sex differences in coxsackievirus B3 but not influenza A virus pathogenesis. Biol Sex Differ 2011; 2:8. [PMID: 21806829 PMCID: PMC3162877 DOI: 10.1186/2042-6410-2-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) and influenza A virus (IAV; H1N1) produce sexually dimorphic infections in C57BL/6 mice. Gonadal steroids can modulate sex differences in response to both viruses. Here, the effect of sex chromosomal complement in response to viral infection was evaluated using four core genotypes (FCG) mice, where the Sry gene is deleted from the Y chromosome, and in some mice is inserted into an autosomal chromosome. This results in four genotypes: XX or XY gonadal females (XXF and XYF), and XX or XY gonadal males (XXM and XYM). The FCG model permits evaluation of the impact of the sex chromosome complement independent of the gonadal phenotype. METHODS Wild-type (WT) male and female C57BL/6 mice were assigned to remain intact or be gonadectomized (Gdx) and all FCG mice on a C57BL/6 background were Gdx. Mice were infected with either CVB3 or mouse-adapted IAV, A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8), and monitored for changes in immunity, virus titers, morbidity, or mortality. RESULTS In CVB3 infection, mortality was increased in WT males compared to females and males developed more severe cardiac inflammation. Gonadectomy suppressed male, but increased female, susceptibility to CVB3. Infection with IAV resulted in greater morbidity and mortality in WT females compared with males and this sex difference was significantly reduced by gonadectomy of male and female mice. In Gdx FCG mice infected with CVB3, XY mice were less susceptible than XX mice. Protection correlated with increased CD4+ forkhead box P3 (FoxP3)+ T regulatory (Treg) cell activation in these animals. Neither CD4+ interferon (IFN)γ (T helper 1 (Th1)) nor CD4+ interleukin (IL)-4+ (Th2) responses differed among the FCG mice during CVB3 infection. Infection of Gdx FCG mice revealed no effect of sex chromosome complement on morbidity or mortality following IAV infection. CONCLUSIONS These studies indicate that sex chromosome complement can influence pathogenicity of some, but not all, viruses.
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MicroRNA, a new paradigm for understanding immunoregulation, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Transl Res 2011; 157:163-79. [PMID: 21420027 PMCID: PMC3072681 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2011.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Revised: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are newly discovered, small, noncoding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that play critical roles in the regulation of host genome expression at the posttranscriptional level. During last 20 years, miRNAs have emerged as key regulators of various biological processes including immune cell lineage commitment, differentiation, maturation, and maintenance of immune homeostasis and normal function. Thus, it is not surprising that dysregulated miRNA expression patterns now have been documented in a broad range of diseases including cancer as well as inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This rapidly emerging field has revolutionized our understanding of normal immunoregulation and breakdown of self-tolerance. This review focuses on the current understanding of miRNA biogenesis, the role of miRNAs in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity, and the association of miRNAs with autoimmune diseases. We have discussed miRNA dysregulation and the potential role of miRNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Given that most autoimmune diseases are female-predominant, we also have discussed sex hormone regulation of miRNAs in inflammatory responses, with an emphasis on estrogen, which now has been shown to regulate miRNAs in the immune system. The field of miRNA regulation of mammalian genes has tremendous potential. The identification of specific miRNA expression patterns in autoimmune diseases as well as a comprehensive understanding of the role of miRNA in disease pathogenesis offers promise of not only novel molecular diagnostic markers but also new gene therapy strategies for treating SLE and other inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
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Khan D, Dai R, Karpuzoglu E, Ahmed SA. Estrogen increases, whereas IL-27 and IFN-gamma decrease, splenocyte IL-17 production in WT mice. Eur J Immunol 2010; 40:2549-56. [PMID: 20623549 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201040303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen-mediated regulation of Th1, Th2 and Treg effector functions are well documented but, surprisingly, there is little information whether estrogen modulates IL-17, a powerful proinflammatory cytokine that plays a pivotal role in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Therefore in the current study, we determined whether estrogen regulates the expression levels of IL-17 in WT C57BL/6 mice. By ELISA, ELISPOT and/or flow cytometric analyses, we found that estrogen upregulated the levels of not only IL-17, but also the IL-17-specific transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (ROR gamma t), in activated splenocytes. IL-17 levels were further enhanced by exposure of activated splenocytes to IL-23, particularly in cells from estrogen-treated mice. Exposure of splenocytes to IL-27 or IFN-gamma at the time of activation markedly inhibited the levels of IL-17 and ROR gamma t. Interestingly, a delay of 24 h in exposure of activated splenocytes to IL-27 or IFN-gamma decreased IL-17 levels (albeit less profoundly) but not ROR gamma t. These findings imply that the suppressive effects of IL-27 and IFN-gamma are more effective prior to the differentiation and commitment of IL-17-secreting cells. Furthermore, inhibition of JAK-2 by AG490 suppressed IL-17 but not ROR gamma t expression, suggesting that other transcription factors are also critical in estrogen-mediated upregulation of IL-17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deena Khan
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24060-0342, USA
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Perinatal bisphenol A exposure in C57B6/129svj male mice: potential altered cytokine/chemokine production in adulthood. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2010; 7:2845-52. [PMID: 20717544 PMCID: PMC2922731 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph7072845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2010] [Accepted: 07/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant mice (n = 3) were exposed to BPA by intraperitoneal injection, from gestation day 9.5 until end of lactation. Male offspring were evaluated for cytokine production at 20 wk-of-age. One pregnant control mouse produced no males, precluding statistical analysis. However, recurring shifts in cytokines were suggested in the adult BPA offspring. Serum showed a numeric increase in 16 of 21 basal cytokine levels. ConA-stimulated splenocytes showed a numeric increase in 17 of 21 cytokines, and LPS-stimulated splenocytes an increase in 18 of 21 cytokines. The cytokine profile was one of T(H)1 up-regulation more than T(H)2, and with skewing toward T(H)17 responses.
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