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Dodd KC, Menon M. Sex bias in lymphocytes: Implications for autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:945762. [PMID: 36505451 PMCID: PMC9730535 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.945762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by a significant sex dimorphism, with women showing increased susceptibility to disease. This is, at least in part, due to sex-dependent differences in the immune system that are influenced by the complex interplay between sex hormones and sex chromosomes, with contribution from sociological factors, diet and gut microbiota. Sex differences are evident in the number and function of lymphocyte populations. Women mount a stronger pro-inflammatory response than males, with increased lymphocyte proliferation, activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, whereas men display expanded regulatory cell subsets. Ageing alters the immune landscape of men and women in differing ways, resulting in changes in autoimmune disease susceptibility. Here we review the current literature on sex differences in lymphocyte function, the factors that influence this, and the implications for autoimmune disease. We propose that improved understanding of sex bias in lymphocyte function can provide sex-specific tailoring of treatment strategies for better management of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine C. Dodd
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom,Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Madhvi Menon
- Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Division of Immunology, Immunity to Infection and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Madhvi Menon,
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Brennan L, Brouwer-Visser J, Nüesch E, Karpova M, Heller A, Gaire F, Schneider M, Gomes B, Korski K. T-Cell Heterogeneity in Baseline Tumor Samples: Implications for Early Clinical Trial Design and Analysis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:760763. [PMID: 35558070 PMCID: PMC9086966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.760763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In early stage clinical trials, changes to levels of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are critical biomarkers of the mechanism of action of novel immunotherapies. However, baseline heterogeneity of tumor samples, both between and within patients, and the resultant impact on the validity of clinical trial data is not well defined. Here we identify and quantify the impact of baseline variables on the heterogeneity of FoxP3+ and proliferating CD8+ T-cells levels (MKi67+CD8A+) in the TME both between and within patients for the purpose of informing clinical trial design and analysis. Methods We compared levels of FoxP3+ and MKi67+CD8+ cell densities (counts/mm2) from >1000 baseline tumor samples from clinical trials and commercially available sources. Using multivariate hierarchical regression techniques, we investigated whether inter-person heterogeneity of activated or regulatory T-cells could be attributed to baseline characteristics including demographics, indication, lesion type, tissue of excision, biopsy method, prior cancer treatment, and tissue type i.e., "fresh" or "archival" status. We also sought to characterize within-patient heterogeneity by lesion type and tissue type. Results Prior cancer treatment with hormone therapy or chemotherapy that induces immunogenic cell death may alter the TME. Archival tissue is an unreliable substitute for fresh tissue for determining baseline TIL levels. Baseline and on treatment biopsies should be matched by lesion type to avoid bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Brennan
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Early Biomarker Development Oncology, Roche Innovation Center New York, Little Falls, NJ, United States
| | - Jurriaan Brouwer-Visser
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Early Biomarker Development Oncology, Roche Innovation Center New York, Little Falls, NJ, United States
| | - Eveline Nüesch
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Roche Pharma and Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Karpova
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Astrid Heller
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Fabien Gaire
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Meike Schneider
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Roche Pharma and Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Gomes
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, Roche Pharma and Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Konstanty Korski
- Roche Innovation Center Munich, Roche Pharma and Early Development, Penzberg, Germany
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Passos LS, Jha PK, Becker-Greene D, Blaser MC, Romero D, Lupieri A, Sukhova GK, Libby P, Singh SA, Dutra WO, Aikawa M, Levine RA, Nunes MC, Aikawa E. Prothymosin Alpha: A Novel Contributor to Estradiol Receptor Alpha-Mediated CD8 + T-Cell Pathogenic Responses and Recognition of Type 1 Collagen in Rheumatic Heart Valve Disease. Circulation 2022; 145:531-548. [PMID: 35157519 PMCID: PMC8869797 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.121.057301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rheumatic heart valve disease (RHVD) is a leading cause of cardiovascular death in low- and middle-income countries and affects predominantly women. The underlying mechanisms of chronic valvular damage remain unexplored and regulators of sex predisposition are unknown. METHODS Proteomics analysis of human heart valves (nondiseased aortic valves, nondiseased mitral valves [NDMVs], valves from patients with rheumatic aortic valve disease, and valves from patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease; n=30) followed by system biology analysis identified ProTα (prothymosin alpha) as a protein associated with RHVD. Histology, multiparameter flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed the expression of ProTα. In vitro experiments using peripheral mononuclear cells and valvular interstitial cells were performed using multiparameter flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In silico analysis of the RHVD and Streptococcuspyogenes proteomes were used to identify mimic epitopes. RESULTS A comparison of NDMV and nondiseased aortic valve proteomes established the baseline differences between nondiseased aortic and mitral valves. Thirteen unique proteins were enriched in NDMVs. Comparison of NDMVs versus valves from patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and nondiseased aortic valves versus valves from patients with rheumatic aortic valve disease identified 213 proteins enriched in rheumatic valves. The expression of the 13 NDMV-enriched proteins was evaluated across the 213 proteins enriched in diseased valves, resulting in the discovery of ProTα common to valves from patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease and valves from patients with rheumatic aortic valve disease. ProTα plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with RHVD than in healthy individuals. Immunoreactive ProTα colocalized with CD8+ T cells in RHVD. Expression of ProTα and estrogen receptor alpha correlated strongly in circulating CD8+ T cells from patients with RHVD. Recombinant ProTα induced expression of the lytic proteins perforin and granzyme B by CD8+ T cells as well as higher estrogen receptor alpha expression. In addition, recombinant ProTα increased human leukocyte antigen class I levels in valvular interstitial cells. Treatment of CD8+ T cells with specific estrogen receptor alpha antagonist reduced the cytotoxic potential promoted by ProTα. In silico analysis of RHVD and Spyogenes proteomes revealed molecular mimicry between human type 1 collagen epitope and bacterial collagen-like protein, which induced CD8+ T-cell activation in vitro. CONCLUSIONS ProTα-dependent CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity was associated with estrogen receptor alpha activity, implicating ProTα as a potential regulator of sex predisposition in RHVD. ProTα facilitated recognition of type 1 collagen mimic epitopes by CD8+ T cells, suggesting mechanisms provoking autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia S.A. Passos
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Prabhash K. Jha
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dakota Becker-Greene
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mark C. Blaser
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dayanna Romero
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adrien Lupieri
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Galina K. Sukhova
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Libby
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sasha A. Singh
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Walderez O. Dutra
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Masanori Aikawa
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Human Pathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119992, Russia
| | - Robert A. Levine
- Cardiac Ultrasound Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maria C.P. Nunes
- Hospital das Clinicas, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Elena Aikawa
- Center for Excellence in Vascular Biology, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Human Pathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 119992, Russia
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Leffler J, Trend S, Gorman S, Hart PH. Sex-Specific Environmental Impacts on Initiation and Progression of Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2022; 13:835162. [PMID: 35185777 PMCID: PMC8850837 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.835162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunological mechanisms that contribute to multiple sclerosis (MS) differ between males and females. Females are 2–3 times more likely to develop MS compared to males, however the reason for this discrepancy is unknown. Once MS is established, there is a more inflammatory yet milder form of disease in females whereas males generally suffer from more severe disease and faster progression, neural degradation, and disability. Some of these differences relate to genetics, including genetic control of immune regulatory genes on the X-chromosome, as well as immune modulatory properties of sex hormones. Differences in MS development may also relate to how sex interacts with environmental risk factors. There are several environmental risk factors for MS including late-onset Epstein Barr virus infection, low serum vitamin D levels, low UV radiation exposure, smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity. Most of these risk factors impact males and females differently, either due to biological or immunological processes or through behavioral differences. In this review, we explore these differences further and focus on how the interaction of environmental risk factors with sex hormones may contribute to significantly different prevalence and pathology of MS in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonatan Leffler
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Jonatan Leffler
| | - Stephanie Trend
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
- Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Shelley Gorman
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Prue H. Hart
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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Shen Z, Rodriguez-Garcia M, Patel MV, Wira CR. Direct and Indirect endocrine-mediated suppression of human endometrial CD8+T cell cytotoxicity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1773. [PMID: 33469053 PMCID: PMC7815780 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81380-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of endometrial (EM) CD8+T cells is essential for successful reproduction and protection against pathogens. Suppression of CD8+T cells is necessary for a tolerogenic environment that promotes implantation and pregnancy. However, the mechanisms regulating this process remain unclear. Sex hormones are known to control immune responses directly on immune cells and indirectly through the tissue environment. When the actions of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and TGFβ on EM CD8+T cells were evaluated, cytotoxic activity, perforin and granzymes were directly suppressed by E2 and TGFβ but not P. Moreover, incubation of polarized EM epithelial cells with P, but not E2, increased TGFβ secretion. These findings suggest that E2 acts directly on CD8+T cell to suppress cytotoxic activity while P acts indirectly through induction of TGFβ production. Understanding the mechanisms involved in regulating endometrial CD8+T cells is essential for optimizing reproductive success and developing protective strategies against genital infections and gynecological cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
| | - M Rodriguez-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M V Patel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
| | - C R Wira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA.
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Lauzon-Joset JF, Mincham KT, Abad AP, Short BP, Holt PG, Strickland DH, Leffler J. Oestrogen amplifies pre-existing atopy-associated Th2 bias in an experimental asthma model. Clin Exp Allergy 2019; 50:391-400. [PMID: 31785105 DOI: 10.1111/cea.13544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence and severity of asthma, particularly the most common (atopic) form of the disease, increase amongst females but not males after puberty, and asthma activity also changes throughout the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. The contribution of female sex hormones to asthma pathogenesis is incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE To obtain insight into the role of oestrogen (E2) in experimental atopic asthma, and guide future research on sex-related variations in atopic asthma susceptibility/intensity in humans. METHODS We utilized an experimental model comprising rat strains expressing dichotomous Th2-high vs Th2-low immunophenotypes exemplified by eosinophilia, mirroring differences between human atopics/non-atopics. We compared the efficiency of Th2-associated immunoinflammatory mechanisms, which differed markedly between the two strains, and between sexes in the Th2-high strain, and determined the effects of E2 administration on these differences. RESULTS Unique to the Th2-high strain, eosinophil: neutrophil ratios in the airways at baseline and following sensitization/aeroallergen challenge were logfold higher in females relative to males, and this was reflected by higher baseline blood eosinophil numbers in females. Pretreatment of Th2-high males with E2 abrogated this sex difference by selectively boosting Th2-associated genes in the airways and eosinophilia, but was without corresponding effect in the Th2-low strain. In contrast, parallel E2 effects on myeloid and lymphoid cell populations were relatively modest. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE E2 acts to amplify the eosinophilic component of pre-existing Th2-high immunophenotype, possibly acting at the level of the common eosinophil/neutrophil precursor in bone marrow to preferentially drive eosinophil differentiation. Constitutive granulocyte profiles in which the balance between eosinophils and neutrophils is skewed towards eosinophils have been identified in independent cohort studies as markers of asthma risk, and these findings suggest that more detailed studies on the role of E2 in this context, and in relation to asthma pathogenesis in post-pubertal females in particular, appear warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Francois Lauzon-Joset
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Centre de Recherche, Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Kyle T Mincham
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Ana P Abad
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Braden P Short
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Patrick G Holt
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Deborah H Strickland
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Jonatan Leffler
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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Hosgood HD, Gunter MJ, Murphy N, Rohan TE, Strickler HD. The Relation of Obesity-Related Hormonal and Cytokine Levels With Multiple Myeloma and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Front Oncol 2018; 8:103. [PMID: 29713614 PMCID: PMC5911620 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This article presents the first detailed overview of the mechanisms that may underlie the relation of obesity with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) and multiple myeloma (MM). Epidemiologic studies, including meta-analyses of prospective cohorts, have reported that the risks of NHL and MM are significantly increased in obese, relative to normal weight, women and men. Accumulating experimental and clinical evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines, hyperinsulinemia, and sex hormones could play a role in the association of obesity with B-cell NHL and MM carcinogenesis. There is, however, a paucity of data published from appropriate large prospective cohort studies, and studies concurrently measuring these correlated factors, to formally determine the likely biologic factors driving the relationship of obesity with NHL and MM. Additional strengths and weaknesses of the current literature, as well as study design issues that need to be considered in conducting these studies, such as the exclusion of type 2 diabetics or postmenopausal women using hormone therapy, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Dean Hosgood
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Marc J Gunter
- Section of Nutrition and Metabolism, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France
| | - Neil Murphy
- Section of Nutrition and Metabolism, International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France
| | - Thomas E Rohan
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Howard D Strickler
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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