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González-Fernández M, Vázquez-Coto D, Albaiceta GM, Amado-Rodríguez L, Clemente MG, Velázquez-Cuervo L, García-Lago C, Gómez J, Coto E. Chromosome-Y haplogroups in Asturias (Northern Spain) and their association with severe COVID-19. Mol Genet Genomics 2024; 299:49. [PMID: 38704518 PMCID: PMC11069473 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-024-02143-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
The main objective of this study was to determine whether the common Y-haplogroups were be associated with the risk of developing severe COVID-19 in Spanish male. We studied 479 patients who required hospitalization due to COVID-19 and 285 population controls from the region of Asturias (northern Spain), They were genotyped for several polymorphisms that define the common European Y-haplogroups. We compared the frequencies between patients and controls aged ≤ 65 and >65 years. There were no different haplogroup frequencies between the two age groups of controls. Haplogroup R1b was less common in patients aged ≤65 years. Haplogroup I was more common in the two patient´s groups compared to controls (p = 0.02). Haplogroup R1b was significantly more frequent among hypertensive patients, without difference between the hypertensive and normotensive controls. This suggested that R1b could increase the risk for severe COVID-19 among male with pre-existing hypertension. In conclusion, we described the Y-haplogroup structure among Asturians. We found an increased risk of severe COVID-19 among haplogroup I carriers, and a significantly higher frequency of R1b among hypertensive patients. These results indicate that Y-chromosome variants could serve as markers to define the risk of developing a severe form of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Vázquez-Coto
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Guillermo M Albaiceta
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Cardiológicos, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
- Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- CIBER-Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Laura Amado-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
- Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Cardiológicos, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
- Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- CIBER-Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Marta G Clemente
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
- Neumología, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | | | - Claudia García-Lago
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Juan Gómez
- Genética Molecular, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain
- CIBER-Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eliecer Coto
- Genética Molecular, Hospital Universitario Central Asturias, Oviedo, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, ISPA, Oviedo, Spain.
- Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
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2
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Migné CV, Heckmann A, Monsion B, Mohd Jaafar F, Galon C, Rakotobe S, Bell-Sakyi L, Moutailler S, Attoui H. Age- and Sex-Associated Pathogenesis of Cell Culture-Passaged Kemerovo Virus in IFNAR (-/-) Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3177. [PMID: 38542150 PMCID: PMC10970428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Kemerovo virus (KEMV) is a tick-borne orbivirus transmitted by ticks of the genus Ixodes. Previous animal experimentation studies with orbiviruses, in particular the interferon receptor double knock-out (IFNAR(-/-)) mouse model, did not indicate bias that is related to age or sex. We endeavoured to assess the effect of serial and alternated passages of KEMV in mammalian or Ixodes cells on virus replication and potential virulence in male or female IFNAR(-/-) mice, with important age differences: younger males (4-5 months old), older males (14-15 months old), and old females (14-15 months old). After 30 serial passages in mammalian or tick cells, or alternated passages in the two cell types, older female mice which were inoculated with the resulting virus strains were the first to show clinical signs and die. Younger males behaved differently from older males whether they were inoculated with the parental strain of KEMV or with any of the cell culture-passaged strains. The groups of male and female mice inoculated with the mammalian cell culture-adapted KEMV showed the lowest viraemia. While older female and younger male mice died by day 6 post-inoculation, surprisingly, the older males survived until the end of the experiment, which lasted 10 days. RNA extracted from blood and organs of the various mice was tested by probe-based KEMV real-time RT-PCR. Ct values of the RNA extracts were comparable between older females and younger males, while the values for older males were >5 Ct units higher for the various organs, indicating lower levels of replication. It is noteworthy that the hearts of the old males were the only organs that were negative for KEMV RNA. These results suggest, for the first time, an intriguing age- and sex-related bias for an orbivirus in this animal model. Changes in the amino acid sequence of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Kemerovo virus, derived from the first serial passage in Ixodes cells (KEMV Ps.IRE1), were identified in the vicinity of the active polymerase site. This finding suggests that selection of a subpopulation of KEMV with better replication fitness in tick cells occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Victoire Migné
- UMR1161 VIROLOGIE, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.V.M.); (B.M.); (F.M.J.)
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (A.H.); (C.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Aurélie Heckmann
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (A.H.); (C.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Baptiste Monsion
- UMR1161 VIROLOGIE, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.V.M.); (B.M.); (F.M.J.)
| | - Fauziah Mohd Jaafar
- UMR1161 VIROLOGIE, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.V.M.); (B.M.); (F.M.J.)
| | - Clémence Galon
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (A.H.); (C.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Sabine Rakotobe
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (A.H.); (C.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Lesley Bell-Sakyi
- Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, 146 Brownlow Hill, Liverpool L3 5RF, UK;
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (A.H.); (C.G.); (S.R.)
| | - Houssam Attoui
- UMR1161 VIROLOGIE, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, ANSES, Université Paris-Est, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.V.M.); (B.M.); (F.M.J.)
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3
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Dunn SE, Perry WA, Klein SL. Mechanisms and consequences of sex differences in immune responses. Nat Rev Nephrol 2024; 20:37-55. [PMID: 37993681 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00787-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Biological sex differences refer to differences between males and females caused by the sex chromosome complement (that is, XY or XX), reproductive tissues (that is, the presence of testes or ovaries), and concentrations of sex steroids (that is, testosterone or oestrogens and progesterone). Although these sex differences are binary for most human individuals and mice, transgender individuals receiving hormone therapy, individuals with genetic syndromes (for example, Klinefelter and Turner syndromes) and people with disorders of sexual development reflect the diversity in sex-based biology. The broad distribution of sex steroid hormone receptors across diverse cell types and the differential expression of X-linked and autosomal genes means that sex is a biological variable that can affect the function of all physiological systems, including the immune system. Sex differences in immune cell function and immune responses to foreign and self antigens affect the development and outcome of diverse diseases and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E Dunn
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Whitney A Perry
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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4
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Waldhorn I, Turetsky T, Steiner D, Gil Y, Benyamini H, Gropp M, Reubinoff BE. Modeling sex differences in humans using isogenic induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2732-2744. [PMID: 36427492 PMCID: PMC9768579 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological sex is a fundamental trait influencing development, reproduction, pathogenesis, and medical treatment outcomes. Modeling sex differences is challenging because of the masking effect of genetic variability and the hurdle of differentiating chromosomal versus hormonal effects. In this work we developed a cellular model to study sex differences in humans. Somatic cells from a mosaic Klinefelter syndrome patient were reprogrammed to generate isogenic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines with different sex chromosome complements: 47,XXY/46,XX/46,XY/45,X0. Transcriptional analysis of the hiPSCs revealed novel and known genes and pathways that are sexually dimorphic in the pluripotent state and during early neural development. Female hiPSCs more closely resembled the naive pluripotent state than their male counterparts. Moreover, the system enabled differentiation between the contributions of X versus Y chromosome to these differences. Taken together, isogenic hiPSCs present a novel platform for studying sex differences in humans and bear potential to promote gender-specific medicine in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ithai Waldhorn
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tikva Turetsky
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Debora Steiner
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yaniv Gil
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hadar Benyamini
- Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE at Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michal Gropp
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Benjamin E. Reubinoff
- Hadassah Stem Cell Research Center, Goldyne Savad Institute of Gene Therapy, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ein Kerem, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel,Corresponding author
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5
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Soko ND, Dlamini S, Ntsekhe M, Dandara C. The COVID-19 Pandemic and Explaining Outcomes in Africa: Could Genomic Variation Add to the Debate? OMICS : A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2022; 26:594-607. [PMID: 36322905 PMCID: PMC9700373 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2022.0108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of COVID-19, emanated from the Wuhan Province in China and rapidly spread across the globe causing extensive morbidity and mortality rate, and affecting the global economy and livelihoods. Contrary to early predictions of "body bags" across Africa, the African COVID-19 pandemic was marked by apparent low case numbers and an overall mortality rate when compared with the other geographical regions. Factors used to describe this unexpected pattern included a younger population, a swifter and more effective national health policy, limited testing capacities, and the possibility of inadequate reporting of the cases, among others. However, despite genomics contributing to interindividual variations in many diseases across the world, there are inadequate genomic and multiomics data on COVID-19 in Africa that prevent richer transdisciplinary discussions on the contribution of genomics to the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. To invite future debates on comparative studies of COVID-19 genomics and the pandemic spread around the world regions, this expert review evaluates the reported frequency distribution of genetic variants in candidate genes that are likely to affect COVID-19 infection dynamics/disease outcomes. We propose here that genomic variation should be considered among the many factors determining the COVID-19 infection and its outcomes in African populations and across the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nyarai D. Soko
- Pharmacogenomics and Drug Metabolism Research Group, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sipho Dlamini
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mpiko Ntsekhe
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Collet Dandara
- Pharmacogenomics and Drug Metabolism Research Group, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- UCT/South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Platform for Pharmacogenomics Research and Translation, Cape Town, South Africa
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6
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Sabikunnahar B, Lahue KG, Asarian L, Fang Q, McGill MM, Haynes L, Teuscher C, Krementsov DN. Sex differences in susceptibility to influenza A virus infection depend on host genotype. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273050. [PMID: 36112601 PMCID: PMC9481031 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with the respiratory pathogen influenza A virus (IAV) causes significant morbidity and mortality each year. While host genotype is thought to contribute to severity of disease, naturally occurring genetic determinants remain mostly unknown. Moreover, more severe disease is seen in women compared with men, but genetic mechanisms underlying this sex difference remain obscure. Here, using IAV infection in a mouse model of naturally selected genetic diversity, namely C57BL6/J (B6) mice carrying chromosomes (Chr) derived from the wild-derived and genetically divergent PWD/PhJ (PWD) mouse strain (B6.ChrPWD consomic mice), we examined the effects of genotype and sex on severity of IAV-induced disease. Compared with B6, parental PWD mice were completely protected from IAV-induced disease, a phenotype that was fully recapitulated in the B6.Chr16PWD strain carrying the PWD-derived allele of Mx1. In contrast, several other consomic strains, including B6.Chr3PWD and B6.Chr5PWD, demonstrated greatly increased susceptibility. Notably, B6.Chr5PWD and B6.ChrX.3PWD strains, the latter carrying the distal one-third of ChrX from PWD, exhibited increased morbidity and mortality specifically in male but not female mice. Follow up analyses focused on B6 and B6.ChrX.3PWD strains demonstrated moderately elevated viral load in B6.ChrX3PWD male, but not female mice. Transcriptional profiling demonstrated genotype- and sex-specific gene expression profiles in the infected lung, with male B6.ChrX.3 mice exhibiting the most significant changes, including upregulation of a proinflammatory gene expression program associated with myeloid cells, and altered sex-biased expression of several X-linked genes that represent positional candidates, including Tlr13 and Slc25a53. Taken together, our results identify novel loci on autosomes and the X chromosome regulating IAV susceptibility and demonstrate that sex differences in IAV susceptibility are genotype-dependent, suggesting that future genetic association studies need to consider sex as a covariate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bristy Sabikunnahar
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Karolyn G. Lahue
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Loredana Asarian
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Qian Fang
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Mahalia M. McGill
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Laura Haynes
- Department of Immunology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UConn Center on Aging, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Cory Teuscher
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
| | - Dimitry N. Krementsov
- Department of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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7
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Cīrulis A, Hansson B, Abbott JK. Sex-limited chromosomes and non-reproductive traits. BMC Biol 2022; 20:156. [PMID: 35794589 PMCID: PMC9261002 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex chromosomes are typically viewed as having originated from a pair of autosomes, and differentiated as the sex-limited chromosome (e.g. Y) has degenerated by losing most genes through cessation of recombination. While often thought that degenerated sex-limited chromosomes primarily affect traits involved in sex determination and sex cell production, accumulating evidence suggests they also influence traits not sex-limited or directly involved in reproduction. Here, we provide an overview of the effects of sex-limited chromosomes on non-reproductive traits in XY, ZW or UV sex determination systems, and discuss evolutionary processes maintaining variation at sex-limited chromosomes and molecular mechanisms affecting non-reproductive traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aivars Cīrulis
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Bengt Hansson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
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Heydari R, Jangravi Z, Maleknia S, Seresht-Ahmadi M, Bahari Z, Salekdeh GH, Meyfour A. Y chromosome is moving out of sex determination shadow. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:4. [PMID: 34983649 PMCID: PMC8724748 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00741-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although sex hormones play a key role in sex differences in susceptibility, severity, outcomes, and response to therapy of different diseases, sex chromosomes are also increasingly recognized as an important factor. Studies demonstrated that the Y chromosome is not a 'genetic wasteland' and can be a useful genetic marker for interpreting various male-specific physiological and pathophysiological characteristics. Y chromosome harbors male‑specific genes, which either solely or in cooperation with their X-counterpart, and independent or in conjunction with sex hormones have a considerable impact on basic physiology and disease mechanisms in most or all tissues development. Furthermore, loss of Y chromosome and/or aberrant expression of Y chromosome genes cause sex differences in disease mechanisms. With the launch of the human proteome project (HPP), the association of Y chromosome proteins with pathological conditions has been increasingly explored. In this review, the involvement of Y chromosome genes in male-specific diseases such as prostate cancer and the cases that are more prevalent in men, such as cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, and cancers, has been highlighted. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Y chromosome-related diseases can have a significant impact on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raheleh Heydari
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Jangravi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Maleknia
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrshad Seresht-Ahmadi
- Department of Basic Science and Advanced Technologies in Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Bahari
- Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Anna Meyfour
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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9
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Askari N, Hadizadeh M, Rashidifar M. A new insight into sex-specific non-coding RNAs and networks in response to SARS-CoV-2. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 97:105195. [PMID: 34954105 PMCID: PMC8695320 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is the RNA virus responsible for COVID-19, the prognosis of which has been found to be slightly worse in men. The present study aimed to analyze the expression of different mRNAs and their regulatory molecules (miRNAs and lncRNAs) to consider the potential existence of sex-specific expression patterns and COVID-19 susceptibility using bioinformatics analysis. The binding sites of all human mature miRNA sequences on the SARS-CoV-2 genome nucleotide sequence were predicted by the miRanda tool. Sequencing data was excavated using the Galaxy web server from GSE157103, and the output of feature counts was analyzed using DEseq2 packages to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and DEG annotation analyses were performed using the ToppGene and Metascape tools. Using the RNA Interactome Database, we predicted interactions between differentially expressed lncRNAs and differentially expressed mRNAs. Finally, their networks were constructed with top miRNAs. We identified 11 miRNAs with three to five binding sites on the SARS-COVID-2 genome reference. MiR-29c-3p, miR-21-3p, and miR-6838-5p occupied four binding sites, and miR-29a-3p had five binding sites on the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Moreover, miR-29a-3p, and miR-29c-3p were the top miRNAs targeting DEGs. The expression levels of miRNAs (125, 181b, 130a, 29a, b, c, 212, 181a, 133a) changed in males with COVID-19, in whom they regulated ACE2 expression and affected the immune response by affecting phagosomes, complement activation, and cell-matrix adhesion. Our results indicated that XIST lncRNA was up-regulated, and TTTY14, TTTY10, and ZFY-AS1 lncRN as were down-regulated in both ICU and non-ICU men with COVID-19. Dysregulation of noncoding-RNAs has critical effects on the pathophysiology of men with COVID-19, which is why they may be used as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. Overall, our results indicated that the miR-29 family target regulation patterns and might become promising biomarkers for severity and survival outcome in men with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Askari
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Sciences and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, Kerman, Iran.
| | - Morteza Hadizadeh
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Maryam Rashidifar
- Department of Plant Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Lipoldová M, Demant P. Gene-Specific Sex Effects on Susceptibility to Infectious Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:712688. [PMID: 34721380 PMCID: PMC8553003 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.712688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is an integral part of defense against most infectious diseases. These pathogen-induced immune responses are in very many instances strongly influenced by host’s sex. As a consequence, sexual dimorphisms were observed in susceptibility to many infectious diseases. They are pathogen dose-dependent, and their outcomes depend on pathogen and even on its species or subspecies. Sex may differentially affect pathology of various organs and its influence is modified by interaction of host’s hormonal status and genotype: sex chromosomes X and Y, as well as autosomal genes. In this Mini Review we summarize the major influences of sex in human infections and subsequently focus on 22 autosomal genes/loci that modify in a sex-dependent way the response to infectious diseases in mouse models. These genes have been observed to influence susceptibility to viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and worms. Some sex-dependent genes/loci affect susceptibility only in females or only in males, affect both sexes, but have stronger effect in one sex; still other genes were shown to affect the disease in both sexes, but with opposite direction of effect in females and males. The understanding of mechanisms of sex-dependent differences in the course of infectious diseases may be relevant for their personalized management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Lipoldová
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Peter Demant
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, United States
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11
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Weaker protection against tuberculosis in BCG-vaccinated male 129 S2 mice compared to females. Vaccine 2021; 39:7253-7264. [PMID: 34602301 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.09.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BCG - the only available vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) - was first given to babies 100 years ago in 1921. While it is effective against TB meningitis and disseminated TB, its efficacy against pulmonary TB is variable, notably in adults and adolescents. TB remains one of the world's leading health problems, with a higher prevalence among men. Male sex is associated with increased susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in mice, but sex-specific responses to BCG vaccination have not been examined. In this study we vaccinated TB-susceptible 129 S2 mice with BCG and challenged with low-dose M. tuberculosis H37Rv by aerosol infection. BCG was protective against TB in both sexes, as unvaccinated mice lost weight more rapidly than vaccinated ones and suffered from worse lung pathology. However, female mice were better protected than males, showing lower lung bacterial burdens and less weight loss. Overall, vaccinated female mice had increased numbers of T cells and less myeloid cells in the lungs compared to vaccinated males. Principal component analysis of measured features revealed that mice grouped according to timepoint, sex and vaccination status. The features that had the biggest impact on grouping overall included numbers of CD8 T cells, CD8 central memory T cells and CD4 T effector cells, with neutrophil and CD11b+GR-1- cell numbers having a big impact at day 29. Hierarchical clustering confirmed that the main difference in global immune response was due to mouse sex, with only a few misgrouped mice. In conclusion, we found sex-specific differences in response to M. tuberculosis H37Rv -challenge in BCG-vaccinated 129 S2 mice. This highlights the need to include both male and female mice in preclinical testing of vaccine candidates.
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12
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Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness about sex-specific differences in immunity and outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Strong evidence of a male bias in COVID-19 disease severity is hypothesized to be mediated by sex differential immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. This hypothesis is based on data from other viral infections, including influenza viruses, HIV, hepatitis viruses, and others that have demonstrated sex-specific immunity to viral infections. Although males are more susceptible to most viral infections, females possess immunological features that render them more vulnerable to distinct immune-related disease outcomes. Both sex chromosome complement and related genes as well as sex steroids play important roles in mediating the development of sex differences in immunity to viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabra L. Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
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13
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Gay L, Melenotte C, Lakbar I, Mezouar S, Devaux C, Raoult D, Bendiane MK, Leone M, Mège JL. Sexual Dimorphism and Gender in Infectious Diseases. Front Immunol 2021; 12:698121. [PMID: 34367158 PMCID: PMC8339590 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.698121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies and clinical observations show evidence of sexual dimorphism in infectious diseases. Women are at less risk than men when it comes to developing most infectious diseases. However, understanding these observations requires a gender approach that takes into account an analysis of both biological and social factors. The host’s response to infection differs in males and females because sex differences have an impact on hormonal and chromosomal control of immunity. Estradiol appears to confer protective immunity, while progesterone and testosterone suppress anti-infectious responses. In addition, genetic factors, including those associated with sex chromosomes, also affect susceptibility to infections. Finally, differences in occupational activities, lifestyle, and comorbidities play major roles in exposure to pathogens and management of diseases. Hence, considering sexual dimorphism as a critical variable for infectious diseases should be one of the steps taken toward developing personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Gay
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Cléa Melenotte
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Economy and Social Science, Health Care Systems and Societies, Marseille, France
| | - Ines Lakbar
- Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Hôpital Nord, Aix-Marseille Univ, APHM, Marseille, France
| | - Soraya Mezouar
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Christian Devaux
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Marc-Karim Bendiane
- Aix-Marseille Univ, INSERM, IRD, SESSTIM, Economy and Social Science, Health Care Systems and Societies, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Leone
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Hôpital Nord, Aix-Marseille Univ, APHM, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mège
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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14
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Mettelman RC, Thomas PG. Human Susceptibility to Influenza Infection and Severe Disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2021; 11:cshperspect.a038711. [PMID: 31964647 PMCID: PMC8091954 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a038711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses are a persistent threat to global human health. Increased susceptibility to infection and the risk factors associated with progression to severe influenza-related disease are determined by a multitude of viral, host, and environmental conditions. Decades of epidemiologic research have broadly defined high-risk groups, while new genomic association studies have identified specific host factors impacting an individual's response to influenza. Here, we review and highlight both human susceptibility to influenza infection and the conditions that lead to severe influenza disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Mettelman
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
| | - Paul G Thomas
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
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15
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Yang J, Huang X, Zhang J, Fan R, Zhao W, Han T, Duan K, Li X, Zeng P, Deng J, Zhang J, Yang X. Sex-specific differences of humoral immunity and transcriptome diversification in older adults vaccinated with inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccines. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:9801-9819. [PMID: 33744852 PMCID: PMC8064175 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Clinical data showed sex variability in the immune response to influenza vaccination, this study aimed to investigate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that contribute to sex-bias immunity to quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (QIVs) in the elderly. 60 healthy adults aged 60-80 yrs were vaccinated with QIVs, and gene expression was analyzed before and after vaccination. The humoral immunity was analyzed by HAI assay, and the correlation of gene expression patterns of two sex groups with humoral immunity was analyzed. The DEGs involved in type I interferon signaling pathway and complement activation of classical pathway were upregulated within 3 days in females. At Day 28, the immune response showed a male-bias pattern associated with the regulation of protein processing and complement activation of classical pathway. A list of DEGs associated with variant responses to influenza vaccination between females and males were identified by biology-driven clustering. Old females have a greater immune response to QIVs but a rapid antibody decline, while old males have the advantages to sustain a durable response. In addition, we identified genes that may contribute to the sex variations toward influenza vaccination in the aged. Our findings highlight the importance of developing personalized seasonal influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Huang
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Jiayou Zhang
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Renfeng Fan
- Guangdong Province Institute of Biological Products and Materia Medica, Guangzhou 510440, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Tian Han
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Kai Duan
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xinguo Li
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China
| | - Peiyu Zeng
- Gaozhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Maoming 525200, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jinglong Deng
- Gaozhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Maoming 525200, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jikai Zhang
- Guangdong Province Institute of Biological Products and Materia Medica, Guangzhou 510440, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- National Institute of Engineering Technology Research in Combination Vaccine, Wuhan 430207, Hubei Province, China.,China Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Peking 100029, China
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16
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Ye CH, Hsu WL, Peng GR, Yu WC, Lin WC, Hu S, Yu SH. Role of the Immune Microenvironment in SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Cell Transplant 2021; 30:9636897211010632. [PMID: 33949207 PMCID: PMC8114753 DOI: 10.1177/09636897211010632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) first emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has since spread rapidly worldwide. As researchers seek to learn more about COVID-19, the disease it causes, this novel virus continues to infect and kill. Despite the socioeconomic impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infections and likelihood of future outbreaks of other pathogenic coronaviruses, options to prevent or treat coronavirus infections remain limited. In current clinical trials, potential coronavirus treatments focusing on killing the virus or on preventing infection using vaccines largely ignore the host immune response. The relatively small body of current research on the virus indicates pathological responses by the immune system as the leading cause for much of the morbidity and mortality caused by COVID-19. In this review, we investigated the host innate and adaptive immune responses against COVID-19, collated information on recent COVID-19 experimental data, and summarized the systemic immune responses to and histopathology of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Finally, we summarized the immune-related biomarkers to define patients with high-risk and worst-case outcomes, and identified the possible usefulness of inflammatory markers as potential immunotherapeutic targets. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on COVID-19 and the symptomatological differences between healthy, convalescent, and severe cohorts, while offering research directions for alternative immunoregulation therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Hung Ye
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Lin Hsu
- Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Cancer Center, Hualien, Taiwan
- Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Department of Radiation Oncology, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Guan-Ru Peng
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chieh Yu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Chen Lin
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - SuiYun Hu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Han Yu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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17
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Valdebenito JO, Liker A, Halimubieke N, Figuerola J, Székely T. Mortality cost of sex-specific parasitism in wild bird populations. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20983. [PMID: 33268803 PMCID: PMC7710712 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77410-6] [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: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-specific mortality is frequent in animals although the causes of different male versus female mortalities remain poorly understood. Parasitism is ubiquitous in nature with widespread detrimental effects to hosts, making parasitism a likely cause of sex-specific mortalities. Using sex-specific blood and gastrointestinal parasite prevalence from 96 and 54 avian host species, respectively, we test the implications of parasites for annual mortality in wild bird populations using phylogenetic comparative methods. First, we show that parasite prevalence is not different between adult males and females, although Nematodes showed a statistically significant but small male-biased parasite prevalence. Second, we found no correlation between sex-biased host mortalities and sex-biased parasite prevalence. These results were consistent in both blood and gastrointestinal parasites. Taken together, our results show little evidence for sex-dependent parasite prevalence in adults in wild bird populations, and suggest that parasite prevalence is an unlikely predictor of sex difference in adult mortalities, not withstanding sampling limitations. We propose that to understand causes of sex-biased mortalities, more complex analyses are needed that incorporate various ecological and life history components of animals life that may include sex differences in exposure to predators, immune capacity and cost of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- José O Valdebenito
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - András Liker
- MTA-PE Evolutionary Ecology Research Group, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary.,Behavioural Ecology Research Group, Center for Natural Sciences, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Naerhulan Halimubieke
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Seville, Spain
| | - Tamás Székely
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, UK. .,Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary.
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18
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Pivonello R, Auriemma RS, Pivonello C, Isidori AM, Corona G, Colao A, Millar RP. Sex Disparities in COVID-19 Severity and Outcome: Are Men Weaker or Women Stronger? Neuroendocrinology 2020; 111:1066-1085. [PMID: 33242856 PMCID: PMC7900484 DOI: 10.1159/000513346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global public health issue which has profound effects on most aspects of societal well-being, including physical and mental health. A plethora of studies globally have suggested the existence of a sex disparity in the severity and outcome of COVID-19 patients, mainly due to mechanisms of virus infection, immune response to the virus, development of systemic inflammation, and consequent systemic complications, particularly thromboembolism. Epidemiological data report a sex difference in the severity of COVID-19, with a more favorable course of the disease in women compared to men regardless of age, although the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to be similar in both sexes. Sex hormones, including androgens and estrogens, may not only impact virus entry and load, but also shape the clinical manifestations, complications, and ultimately the outcome of the disease. The current review comprehensively summarizes the current literature on sex disparities in susceptibility and outcome of COVID-19 as well as the literature underpinning the pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms, which may provide a rationale to a sex disparity. These mechanisms include sex hormone influence on factors that facilitate virus entry and priming, immune and inflammatory response, as well as coagulation and thrombosis diathesis. Based on present evidence, women appear to be relatively protected from COVID-19 because of a more effective immune response and a less pronounced systemic inflammation, with consequent moderate clinical manifestations of the disease, together with a lesser predisposition to thromboembolism. Conversely, men appear to be particularly susceptible to COVID-19 because of a less effective immune response with consequent severe clinical manifestations of the disease, together with a greater predisposition to thromboembolism. In the elderly, generally characterized by the phenomenon of inflammaging, sex disparities in overall mortality following SARS-CoV-2 infection are even more palpable as elderly men appear to be more prone to severe COVID-19 because of a greater predisposition to infections, a weaker immune defense, and an enhanced thrombotic state compared to women. The information revealed from the review highlights potential novel therapeutic approaches employing the administration of hormonal or antihormonal therapy in combination with antiviral drugs in COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy,
- UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy,
| | - Renata S Auriemma
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea M Isidori
- Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- UNESCO Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Robert P Millar
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Neurosciences Institute and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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19
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Sabbaghi A, Miri SM, Keshavarz M, Mahooti M, Zebardast A, Ghaemi A. Role of γδ T cells in controlling viral infections with a focus on influenza virus: implications for designing novel therapeutic approaches. Virol J 2020; 17:174. [PMID: 33183352 PMCID: PMC7659406 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-020-01449-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza virus infection is among the most detrimental threats to the health of humans and some animals, infecting millions of people annually all around the world and in many thousands of cases giving rise to pneumonia and death. All those health crises happen despite previous and recent developments in anti-influenza vaccination, suggesting the need for employing more sophisticated methods to control this malign infection. Main body The innate immunity modules are at the forefront of combating against influenza infection in the respiratory tract, among which, innate T cells, particularly gamma-delta (γδ) T cells, play a critical role in filling the gap needed for adaptive immune cells maturation, linking the innate and adaptive immunity together. Upon infection with influenza virus, production of cytokines and chemokines including CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5 from respiratory epithelium recruits γδ T cells at the site of infection in a CCR5 receptor-dependent fashion. Next, γδ T cells become activated in response to influenza virus infection and produce large amounts of proinflammatory cytokines, especially IL-17A. Regardless of γδ T cells' roles in triggering the adaptive arm of the immune system, they also protect the respiratory epithelium by cytolytic and non-cytolytic antiviral mechanisms, as well as by enhancing neutrophils and natural killer cells recruitment to the infection site. CONCLUSION In this review, we explored varied strategies of γδ T cells in defense to influenza virus infection and how they can potentially provide balanced protective immune responses against infected cells. The results may provide a potential window for the incorporation of intact or engineered γδ T cells for developing novel antiviral approaches or for immunotherapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailar Sabbaghi
- Department of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Miri
- Department of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Keshavarz
- The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mehran Mahooti
- Department of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arghavan Zebardast
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Ghaemi
- Department of Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
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20
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Deschepper CF. Regulatory effects of the Uty/Ddx3y locus on neighboring chromosome Y genes and autosomal mRNA transcripts in adult mouse non-reproductive cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14900. [PMID: 32913328 PMCID: PMC7484786 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71447-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to sperm-related genes, the male-specific chromosome Y (chrY) contains a class of ubiquitously expressed and evolutionary conserved dosage-sensitive regulator genes that include the neighboring Uty, Ddx3y and (in mice) Eif2s3y genes. However, no study to date has investigated the functional impact of targeted mutations of any of these genes within adult non-reproductive somatic cells. We thus compared adult male mice carrying a gene trap within their Uty gene (UtyGT) to their wild-type (WT) isogenic controls, and performed deep sequencing of RNA and genome-wide profiling of chromatin features in extracts from either cardiac tissue, cardiomyocyte-specific nuclei or purified cardiomyocytes. The apparent impact of UtyGT on gene transcription concentrated mostly on chrY genes surrounding the locus of insertion, i.e. Uty, Ddx3y, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contained within their introns and Eif2s3y, in addition to possible effects on the autosomal Malat1 lncRNA. Notwithstanding, UtyGT also caused coordinate changes in the abundance of hundreds of mRNA transcripts related to coherent cell functions, including RNA processing and translation. The results altogether indicated that tightly co-regulated chrY genes had nonetheless more widespread effects on the autosomal transcriptome in adult somatic cells, most likely due to mechanisms other than just transcriptional regulation of corresponding protein-coding genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian F Deschepper
- Cardiovascular Biology Research Unit, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) and Université de Montréal, 100 Pine Ave West, Montréal, QC, H2W 1R7, Canada.
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21
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Mauvais-Jarvis F, Klein SL, Levin ER. Estradiol, Progesterone, Immunomodulation, and COVID-19 Outcomes. Endocrinology 2020; 161:bqaa127. [PMID: 32730568 PMCID: PMC7438701 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Severe outcomes and death from the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appear to be characterized by an exaggerated immune response with hypercytokinemia leading to inflammatory infiltration of the lungs and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes is consistently lower in women than men worldwide, suggesting that female biological sex is instrumental in protection. This mini-review discusses the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory actions of high physiological concentrations of the steroids 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4). We review how E2 and P4 favor a state of decreased innate immune inflammatory response while enhancing immune tolerance and antibody production. We discuss how the combination of E2 and P4 may improve the immune dysregulation that leads to the COVID-19 cytokine storm. It is intended to stimulate novel consideration of the biological forces that are protective in women compared to men, and to therapeutically harness these factors to mitigate COVID-19 morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Mauvais-Jarvis
- Diabetes Discovery & Sex-Based Medicine Laboratory, Section of Endocrinology, John W. Deming Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ellis R Levin
- Department of Medicine and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
- Long Beach VA Medical Center, Long Beach, California
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22
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Delanghe JR, De Buyzere ML, De Bruyne S, Van Criekinge W, Speeckaert MM. The potential influence of human Y-chromosome haplogroup on COVID-19 prevalence and mortality. Ann Oncol 2020; 31:1582-1584. [PMID: 32835812 PMCID: PMC7442561 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.08.2096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- J R Delanghe
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | - M L De Buyzere
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - S De Bruyne
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - W Van Criekinge
- Department of Data Analysis and Mathematical Modelling, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - M M Speeckaert
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
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23
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Credendino SC, Neumayer C, Cantone I. Genetics and Epigenetics of Sex Bias: Insights from Human Cancer and Autoimmunity. Trends Genet 2020; 36:650-663. [PMID: 32736810 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2020.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing and genome-wide association studies have revealed a sex bias in human diseases. The underlying molecular mechanisms remain, however, unknown. Here, we cover recent advances in cancer and autoimmunity focusing on intrinsic genetic and epigenetic differences underlying sex biases in human disease. These studies reveal a central role of genome regulatory mechanisms including genome repair, chromosome folding, and epigenetic regulation in dictating the sex bias. These highlight the importance of considering sex as a variable in both basic science and clinical investigations. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying sex bias in human diseases will be instrumental in making a first step forwards into the era of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Carmela Credendino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Christoph Neumayer
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Irene Cantone
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology 'G. Salvatore', National Research Council (CNR), 80131 Naples, Italy.
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24
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Kloc M, Ghobrial RM, Kubiak JZ. The Role of Genetic Sex and Mitochondria in Response to COVID-19 Infection. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2020; 181:629-634. [PMID: 32564017 PMCID: PMC7360490 DOI: 10.1159/000508560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The difference between the female and male immune response to COVID-19 infection, and infections in general, is multifactorial. The well-known determiners of the immune response, such as X and Y chromosomes, sex hormones, and microbiota, are functionally interconnected and influence each other in shaping the organism's immunity. We focus our commentary on the interplay between the genetic sex and mitochondria and how this may affect a sex-dependent immune response in COVID-19 infection. Realizing the existence of these interactions may help in designing novel methods or fine-tuning the existing and routine therapies to fight COVID-19 and other infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Kloc
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA,
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA,
- Department of Genetics, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas, Houston, Texas, USA,
| | - Rafik Mark Ghobrial
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jacek Z Kubiak
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (WIHE), Warsaw, Poland
- UnivRennes, UMR 6290, CNRS, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, Cell Cycle Group, Faculty of Medicine, Rennes, France
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25
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Abstract
A male bias in mortality has emerged in the COVID-19 pandemic, which is consistent with the pathogenesis of other viral infections. Biological sex differences may manifest themselves in susceptibility to infection, early pathogenesis, innate viral control, adaptive immune responses or the balance of inflammation and tissue repair in the resolution of infection. We discuss available sex-disaggregated epidemiological data from the COVID-19 pandemic, introduce sex-differential features of immunity and highlight potential sex differences underlying COVID-19 severity. We propose that sex differences in immunopathogenesis will inform mechanisms of COVID-19, identify points for therapeutic intervention and improve vaccine design and increase vaccine efficacy. Why are males more susceptible to severe COVID-19 than females? In this Perspective, Sabra Klein and colleagues consider the sex differences in the immune system that may contribute to this sex bias.
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26
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Arnold AP. Sexual differentiation of brain and other tissues: Five questions for the next 50 years. Horm Behav 2020; 120:104691. [PMID: 31991182 PMCID: PMC7440839 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This paper is part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of founding of the journal Hormones and Behavior, the official journal of the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. All sex differences in phenotypic development stem from the sexual imbalance in X and Y chromosomes, which are the only known differences in XX and XY zygotes. The sex chromosome genes act within cells to cause differences in phenotypes of XX and XY cells throughout the body. In the gonad, they determine the type of gonad, leading to differences in secretion of testicular vs. ovarian hormones, which cause further sex differences in tissue function. These current ideas of sexual differentiation are briefly contrasted with a hormones-only view of sexual differentiation of the last century. The multiple, independent action of diverse sex-biasing agents means that sex-biased factors can be synergistic, increasing sex differences, or compensatory, making the two sexes more equal. Several animal models have been fruitful in demonstrating sex chromosome effects, and interactions with gonadal hormones. MRI studies of human brains demonstrate variation in brain structure associated with both differences in gonadal hormones, and in the number of X and Y chromosomes. Five unanswered questions are posed as a challenge to future investigators to improve understanding of sexual differentiation throughout the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur P Arnold
- Department Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, United States of America.
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27
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Gounder AP, Boon ACM. Influenza Pathogenesis: The Effect of Host Factors on Severity of Disease. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:341-350. [PMID: 30617115 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Influenza viruses continue to be a major global health threat. Severity and clinical outcome of influenza disease is determined by both viral and host factors. Viral factors have long been the subject of intense research and many molecular determinants have been identified. However, research into the host factors that protect or predispose to severe and fatal influenza A virus infections is lagging. The goal of this review is to highlight the recent insights into host determinants of influenza pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshu P Gounder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110.,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110; and
| | - Adrianus C M Boon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110; .,Department of Molecular Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110; and.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110
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28
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Eales JM, Maan AA, Xu X, Michoel T, Hallast P, Batini C, Zadik D, Prestes PR, Molina E, Denniff M, Schroeder J, Bjorkegren JLM, Thompson J, Maffia P, Guzik TJ, Keavney B, Jobling MA, Samani NJ, Charchar FJ, Tomaszewski M. Human Y Chromosome Exerts Pleiotropic Effects on Susceptibility to Atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 39:2386-2401. [PMID: 31644355 PMCID: PMC6818981 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.119.312405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. The male-specific region of the Y chromosome (MSY) remains one of the most unexplored regions of the genome. We sought to examine how the genetic variants of the MSY influence male susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Eales
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (J.M.E., A.A.M., X.X., B.K., M.T.)
| | - Akhlaq A Maan
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (J.M.E., A.A.M., X.X., B.K., M.T.)
| | - Xiaoguang Xu
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (J.M.E., A.A.M., X.X., B.K., M.T.)
| | - Tom Michoel
- The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (T.M.).,Computational Biology Unit and Department of Informatics, University of Bergen, Norway (T.M.)
| | - Pille Hallast
- Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia (P.H.)
| | - Chiara Batini
- Department of Health Sciences (C.B., J.T.), University of Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Zadik
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology (D.Z., M.A.J.), University of Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Priscilla R Prestes
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria (P.R.P., E.M., F.J.C.)
| | - Elsa Molina
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria (P.R.P., E.M., F.J.C.)
| | - Matthew Denniff
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences (M.D., N.J.S., F.J.C.), University of Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Juliane Schroeder
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (J.S., P.M.), College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences (J.S., P.M., T.J.G.), College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Johan L M Bjorkegren
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn Institute for Genomics and Multiscale Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (J.L.M.B.)
| | - John Thompson
- Department of Health Sciences (C.B., J.T.), University of Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Pasquale Maffia
- Centre for Immunobiology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (J.S., P.M.), College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences (J.S., P.M., T.J.G.), College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Italy (P.M.)
| | - Tomasz J Guzik
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences (J.S., P.M., T.J.G.), College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.,Jagiellonian University College of Medicine, Kraków, Poland (T.J.G.)
| | - Bernard Keavney
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (J.M.E., A.A.M., X.X., B.K., M.T.).,Division of Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, United Kingdom (B.K., M.T.)
| | - Mark A Jobling
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology (D.Z., M.A.J.), University of Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Nilesh J Samani
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences (M.D., N.J.S., F.J.C.), University of Leicester, United Kingdom.,NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, United Kingdom (N.J.S.)
| | - Fadi J Charchar
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences (M.D., N.J.S., F.J.C.), University of Leicester, United Kingdom.,School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, Victoria (P.R.P., E.M., F.J.C.).,Department of Physiology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (F.J.C.)
| | - Maciej Tomaszewski
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (J.M.E., A.A.M., X.X., B.K., M.T.).,Division of Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, United Kingdom (B.K., M.T.)
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29
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Deakin JE, Potter S, O'Neill R, Ruiz-Herrera A, Cioffi MB, Eldridge MDB, Fukui K, Marshall Graves JA, Griffin D, Grutzner F, Kratochvíl L, Miura I, Rovatsos M, Srikulnath K, Wapstra E, Ezaz T. Chromosomics: Bridging the Gap between Genomes and Chromosomes. Genes (Basel) 2019; 10:genes10080627. [PMID: 31434289 PMCID: PMC6723020 DOI: 10.3390/genes10080627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent advances in DNA sequencing technology are enabling a rapid increase in the number of genomes being sequenced. However, many fundamental questions in genome biology remain unanswered, because sequence data alone is unable to provide insight into how the genome is organised into chromosomes, the position and interaction of those chromosomes in the cell, and how chromosomes and their interactions with each other change in response to environmental stimuli or over time. The intimate relationship between DNA sequence and chromosome structure and function highlights the need to integrate genomic and cytogenetic data to more comprehensively understand the role genome architecture plays in genome plasticity. We propose adoption of the term 'chromosomics' as an approach encompassing genome sequencing, cytogenetics and cell biology, and present examples of where chromosomics has already led to novel discoveries, such as the sex-determining gene in eutherian mammals. More importantly, we look to the future and the questions that could be answered as we enter into the chromosomics revolution, such as the role of chromosome rearrangements in speciation and the role more rapidly evolving regions of the genome, like centromeres, play in genome plasticity. However, for chromosomics to reach its full potential, we need to address several challenges, particularly the training of a new generation of cytogeneticists, and the commitment to a closer union among the research areas of genomics, cytogenetics, cell biology and bioinformatics. Overcoming these challenges will lead to ground-breaking discoveries in understanding genome evolution and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine E Deakin
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia.
| | - Sally Potter
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William St Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Rachel O'Neill
- Institute for Systems Genomics and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Aurora Ruiz-Herrera
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Genome Integrity and Instability Group, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Marcelo B Cioffi
- Laboratório de Citogenética de Peixes, Departamento de Genética e Evolução, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, São Carlos, SP 13565-905, Brazil
| | - Mark D B Eldridge
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William St Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Kichi Fukui
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Jennifer A Marshall Graves
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia
- School of Life Sciences, LaTrobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Darren Griffin
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NJ, UK
| | - Frank Grutzner
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Lukáš Kratochvíl
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Ikuo Miura
- Amphibian Research Center, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Michail Rovatsos
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Kornsorn Srikulnath
- Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics & Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Erik Wapstra
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
| | - Tariq Ezaz
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617, Australia.
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30
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Khramtsova EA, Davis LK, Stranger BE. The role of sex in the genomics of human complex traits. Nat Rev Genet 2019; 20:173-190. [PMID: 30581192 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-018-0083-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nearly all human complex traits and disease phenotypes exhibit some degree of sex differences, including differences in prevalence, age of onset, severity or disease progression. Until recently, the underlying genetic mechanisms of such sex differences have been largely unexplored. Advances in genomic technologies and analytical approaches are now enabling a deeper investigation into the effect of sex on human health traits. In this Review, we discuss recent insights into the genetic models and mechanisms that lead to sex differences in complex traits. This knowledge is critical for developing deeper insight into the fundamental biology of sex differences and disease processes, thus facilitating precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina A Khramtsova
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lea K Davis
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| | - Barbara E Stranger
- Section of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. .,Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. .,Center for Data Intensive Science, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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31
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Zychlinsky Scharff A, Rousseau M, Lacerda Mariano L, Canton T, Consiglio CR, Albert ML, Fontes M, Duffy D, Ingersoll MA. Sex differences in IL-17 contribute to chronicity in male versus female urinary tract infection. JCI Insight 2019; 5:122998. [PMID: 31145099 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.122998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-based differences influence incidence and outcome of infectious disease. Women have a significantly greater incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) than men, yet, conversely, male UTI is more persistent with greater associated morbidity. Mechanisms underlying these sex-based differences are unknown, in part due to a lack of experimental models. We optimized a model to transurethrally infect male mice and directly compared UTI in both sexes. Although both sexes were initially equally colonized by uropathogenic E. coli, only male and testosterone-treated female mice remained chronically infected for up to 4 weeks. Female mice had more robust innate responses, including higher IL-17 expression, and increased γδ T cells and group 3 innate lymphoid cells in the bladder following infection. Accordingly, neutralizing IL-17 abolished resolution in female mice, identifying a cytokine pathway necessary for bacterial clearance. Our findings support the concept that sex-based responses to UTI contribute to impaired innate immunity in males and provide a rationale for non-antibiotic-based immune targeting to improve the response to UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthieu Rousseau
- Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,INSERM U1223, Paris, France
| | - Livia Lacerda Mariano
- Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,INSERM U1223, Paris, France
| | - Tracy Canton
- Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,INSERM U1223, Paris, France
| | | | - Matthew L Albert
- Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,INSERM U1223, Paris, France
| | - Magnus Fontes
- International Group for Data Analysis, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,The Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,The Center for Genomic Medicine at Rigshospitalet and Persimune, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Darragh Duffy
- Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,INSERM U1223, Paris, France
| | - Molly A Ingersoll
- Department of Immunology, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.,INSERM U1223, Paris, France
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32
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Abstract
Evolution of genetic mechanisms of sex determination led to two processes causing sex differences in somatic phenotypes: gonadal differentiation and sex chromosome dosage inequality. In species with heteromorphic sex chromosomes, the sex of the individual is established at the time of formation of the zygote, leading to inherent sex differences in expression of sex chromosome genes beginning as soon as the embryonic transcriptome is activated. The inequality of sex chromosome gene expression causes sexual differentiation of the gonads and of non-gonadal tissues. The difference in gonad type in turn causes lifelong differences in gonadal hormones, which interact with unequal effects of X and Y genes acting within cells. Separating the effects of gonadal hormones and sex chromosomes has been possible using mouse models in which gonadal determination is separated from the sex chromosomes, allowing comparison of XX and XY mice with the same type of gonad. Sex differences caused by gonadal hormones and sex chromosomes affect basic physiology and disease mechanisms in most or all tissues.
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33
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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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34
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Kutch IC, Fedorka KM. Y-chromosomes can constrain adaptive evolution via epistatic interactions with other chromosomes. BMC Evol Biol 2018; 18:204. [PMID: 30587105 PMCID: PMC6307184 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1327-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Variation in the non-coding regions of Y-chromosomes have been shown to influence gene regulation throughout the genome in some systems; a phenomenon termed Y-linked regulatory variation (YRV). This type of sex-specific genetic variance could have important implications for the evolution of male and female traits. If YRV contributes to the additive genetic variation of an autosomally coded trait shared between the sexes (e.g. body size), then selection could facilitate sexually dimorphic evolution via the Y-chromosome. In contrast, if YRV is entirely non-additive (i.e. interacts epistatically with other chromosomes), then Y-chromosomes could constrain trait evolution in both sexes whenever they are selected for the same trait value. The ability for this phenomenon to influence such fundamental evolutionary dynamics remains unexplored. Results Here we address the evolutionary contribution of Y-linked variance by selecting for improved male geotaxis in populations possessing multiple Y-chromosomes (i.e. possessed Y-linked additive and/or epistatic variation) or a single Y-chromosome variant (i.e. possessed no Y-linked variation). We found that males from populations possessing Y-linked variation did not significantly respond to selection; however, males from populations with no Y-linked variation did respond. These patterns suggest the presence of a large quantity of Y-linked epistatic variance in the multi-Y population that dramatically slowed its response. Conclusions Our results imply that YRV is unlikely to facilitate the evolution of sexually dimorphic traits (at least for the trait examined here), but can interfere with the rate of trait evolution in both males and females. This result could have real biological implications as it suggests that YRV can affect how quickly a population responds to new selective pressures (e.g. invasive species, novel pathogens, or climate change). Considering that YRV influences hundreds of genes and is likely typical of other independently-evolved hemizygous chromosomes, YRV-like phenomena may represent common and significant costs to hemizygous sex determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C Kutch
- Biological Sciences Building, University of Central Florida, 4110 Libra Dr, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA.
| | - Kenneth M Fedorka
- Biological Sciences Building, University of Central Florida, 4110 Libra Dr, Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
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35
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Wen F, Guo J, Li Z, Huang S. Sex-specific patterns of gene expression following influenza vaccination. Sci Rep 2018; 8:13517. [PMID: 30202120 PMCID: PMC6131249 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-31999-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex-based variations in the immune response to the influenza vaccines was reported, however, the genetic basis responsible for the sex variations in the immune response toward the influenza vaccines remains unclear. Here, the genes responsible for sex-specific responses after vaccination with trivalent inactivated influenza virus were identified. These genes were enriched in virus response pathways, especially interferon signaling. A list of genes showing different responses to the vaccine between females and males were obtained next. Our results demonstrated that females generate stronger immune responses to seasonal influenza vaccines within 24 hours than males. However, most of these genes with variability between sexes had the opposite expression levels after three days, suggesting that males retained the immune responses longer than female. To summary, our study identified genes responsible for the sex variations toward influenza vaccination. Our findings might provide insights into the development of the sex-dependent influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wen
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinyue Guo
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhili Li
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong, China
| | - Shujian Huang
- College of Life Science and Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan, 528231, Guangdong, China.
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36
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Celestino I, Checconi P, Amatore D, De Angelis M, Coluccio P, Dattilo R, Alunni Fegatelli D, Clemente AM, Matarrese P, Torcia MG, Mancinelli R, Mammola CL, Garaci E, Vestri AR, Malorni W, Palamara AT, Nencioni L. Differential Redox State Contributes to Sex Disparities in the Response to Influenza Virus Infection in Male and Female Mice. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1747. [PMID: 30105026 PMCID: PMC6077261 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus replicates intracellularly exploiting several pathways involved in the regulation of host responses. The outcome and the severity of the infection are thus strongly conditioned by multiple host factors, including age, sex, metabolic, and redox conditions of the target cells. Hormones are also important determinants of host immune responses to influenza and are recently proposed in the prophylaxis and treatment. This study shows that female mice are less susceptible than males to mouse-adapted influenza virus (A/PR8/H1N1). Compared with males, PR8-infected females display higher survival rate (+36%), milder clinical disease, and less weight loss. They also have milder histopathological signs, especially free alveolar area is higher than that in males, even if pro-inflammatory cytokine production shows slight differences between sexes; hormone levels, moreover, do not vary significantly with infection in our model. Importantly, viral loads (both in terms of viral M1 RNA copies and tissue culture infectious dose 50%) are lower in PR8-infected females. An analysis of the mechanisms contributing to sex disparities observed during infection reveals that the female animals have higher total antioxidant power in serum and their lungs are characterized by increase in (i) the content and biosynthesis of glutathione, (ii) the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes (peroxiredoxin 1, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and (iii) the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. By contrast, infected males are characterized by high expression of NADPH oxidase 4 oxidase and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, both enzymes promoting viral replication. All these factors are critical for cell homeostasis and susceptibility to infection. Reappraisal of the importance of the host cell redox state and sex-related effects may be useful in the attempt to develop more tailored therapeutic interventions in the fight against influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Celestino
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Checconi
- San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Amatore
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta De Angelis
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Coluccio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Dattilo
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Alunni Fegatelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ann Maria Clemente
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Matarrese
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Gabriella Torcia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Romina Mancinelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina Loredana Mammola
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Garaci
- San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Rita Vestri
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Malorni
- Center for Gender-Specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Teresa Palamara
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- San Raffaele Pisana, IRCCS, Telematic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Nencioni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Pasteur Institute Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Vermillion MS, Ursin RL, Kuok DIT, Vom Steeg LG, Wohlgemuth N, Hall OJ, Fink AL, Sasse E, Nelson A, Ndeh R, McGrath-Morrow S, Mitzner W, Chan MCW, Pekosz A, Klein SL. Production of amphiregulin and recovery from influenza is greater in males than females. Biol Sex Differ 2018; 9:24. [PMID: 30012205 PMCID: PMC6048771 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-018-0184-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Amphiregulin (AREG) is an epidermal growth factor that is a significant mediator of tissue repair at mucosal sites, including in the lungs during influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Previous research illustrates that males of reproductive ages experience less severe disease and recover faster than females following infection with IAV. Methods Whether males and females differentially produce and utilize AREG for pulmonary repair after IAV infection was investigated using murine models on a C57BL/6 background and primary mouse and human epithelial cell culture systems. Results Following sublethal infection with 2009 H1N1 IAV, adult female mice experienced greater morbidity and pulmonary inflammation during the acute phase of infection as well as worse pulmonary function during the recovery phase of infection than males, despite having similar virus clearance kinetics. As compared with females, AREG expression was greater in the lungs of male mice as well as in primary respiratory epithelial cells derived from mouse and human male donors, in response to H1N1 IAVs. Internalization of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was also greater in respiratory epithelial cells derived from male than female mice. IAV infection of Areg knock-out (Areg−/−) mice eliminated sex differences in IAV pathogenesis, with a more significant role for AREG in infection of male compared to female mice. Deletion of Areg had no effect on virus replication kinetics in either sex. Gonadectomy and treatment of either wild-type or Areg−/− males with testosterone improved the outcome of IAV as compared with their placebo-treated conspecifics. Conclusions Taken together, these data show that elevated levels of testosterone and AREG, either independently or in combination, improve resilience (i.e., repair and recovery of damaged tissue) and contribute to better influenza outcomes in males compared with females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan S Vermillion
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca L Ursin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Denise I T Kuok
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Landon G Vom Steeg
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas Wohlgemuth
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Olivia J Hall
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley L Fink
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eric Sasse
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Nelson
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Roland Ndeh
- Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sharon McGrath-Morrow
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wayne Mitzner
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael C W Chan
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Andrew Pekosz
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Lau A, West L, Tullius SG. The Impact of Sex on Alloimmunity. Trends Immunol 2018; 39:407-418. [PMID: 29576409 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Transplantation outcomes are known to be affected by multiple factors, including donor and recipient sex. Aside from the physiological characteristics of male and female donor allografts, accumulating evidence suggests that additional features underlie sex-specific immune responses that affect graft survival. We discuss here aspects of innate and adaptive alloimmunity that are specific to males and females in the context of underlying genetic and hormonal factors. These differences likely contribute to the observed disparities in graft survival. Understanding these features in more detail may lead to improved strategies for optimizing the results of organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Lau
- Division of Transplant Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lori West
- Alberta Transplant Institute, University of Alberta, 6-002 Li Ka Shing Health Research Centre East, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Stefan G Tullius
- Division of Transplant Surgery and Transplant Surgery Research Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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