1
|
Paylar B, Pramanik S, Bezabhe YH, Olsson PE. Temporal sex specific brain gene expression pattern during early rat embryonic development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1343800. [PMID: 38961864 PMCID: PMC11219815 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1343800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The classical concept of brain sex differentiation suggests that steroid hormones released from the gonads program male and female brains differently. However, several studies indicate that steroid hormones are not the only determinant of brain sex differentiation and that genetic differences could also be involved. Methods: In this study, we have performed RNA sequencing of rat brains at embryonic days 12 (E12), E13, and E14. The aim was to identify differentially expressed genes between male and female rat brains during early development. Results: Analysis of genes expressed with the highest sex differences showed that Xist was highly expressed in females having XX genotype with an increasing expression over time. Analysis of genes expressed with the highest male expression identified three early genes, Sry2, Eif2s3y, and Ddx3y. Discussion: The observed sex-specific expression of genes at early development confirms that the rat brain is sexually dimorphic prior to gonadal action on the brain and identifies Sry2 and Eif2s3y as early genes contributing to male brain development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Per-Erik Olsson
- Biology, The Life Science Center, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xiao H, Wei J, Yuan L, Li J, Zhang C, Liu G, Liu X. Sex hormones in COVID-19 severity: The quest for evidence and influence mechanisms. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18490. [PMID: 38923119 PMCID: PMC11194454 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Studies have reported variable effects of sex hormones on serious diseases. Severe disease and mortality rates in COVID-19 show marked gender differences that may be related to sex hormones. Sex hormones regulate the expression of the viral receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2, which affect the extent of viral infection and consequently cause variable outcomes. In addition, sex hormones have complex regulatory mechanisms that affect the immune response to viruses. These hormones also affect metabolism, leading to visceral obesity and severe disease can result from complications such as thrombosis. This review presents the latest researches on the regulatory functions of hormones in viral receptors, immune responses, complications as well as their role in COVID-19 progression. It also discusses the therapeutic possibilities of these hormones by reviewing the recent findings of clinical and assay studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Jiayi Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Lunzhi Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Jiayuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Chang Zhang
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen)Fudan UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory & Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, Institute of Artificial Intelligence, School of Public HealthXiamen UniversityXiamenChina
| | - Xuan Liu
- Clinical Center for Biotherapy, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen)Fudan UniversityXiamenChina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Drury ER, Wu J, Gigliotti JC, Le TH. Sex differences in blood pressure regulation and hypertension: renal, hemodynamic, and hormonal mechanisms. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:199-251. [PMID: 37477622 PMCID: PMC11281816 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00041.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The teleology of sex differences has been argued since at least as early as Aristotle's controversial Generation of Animals more than 300 years BC, which reflects the sex bias of the time to contemporary readers. Although the question "why are the sexes different" remains a topic of debate in the present day in metaphysics, the recent emphasis on sex comparison in research studies has led to the question "how are the sexes different" being addressed in health science through numerous observational studies in both health and disease susceptibility, including blood pressure regulation and hypertension. These efforts have resulted in better understanding of differences in males and females at the molecular level that partially explain their differences in vascular function and renal sodium handling and hence blood pressure and the consequential cardiovascular and kidney disease risks in hypertension. This review focuses on clinical studies comparing differences between men and women in blood pressure over the life span and response to dietary sodium and highlights experimental models investigating sexual dimorphism in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, vascular, sympathetic nervous, and immune systems, endothelin, the major renal sodium transporters/exchangers/channels, and the impact of sex hormones on these systems in blood pressure homeostasis. Understanding the mechanisms governing sex differences in blood pressure regulation could guide novel therapeutic approaches in a sex-specific manner to lower cardiovascular risks in hypertension and advance personalized medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erika R Drury
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Jing Wu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Joseph C Gigliotti
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lynchburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Thu H Le
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Beetler DJ, Fairweather D. Sex differences in coronavirus disease 2019 myocarditis. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 35:100704. [PMID: 37662585 PMCID: PMC10470486 DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2023.100704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Myocarditis is frequently caused by viral infections, but animal models that closely resemble human disease suggest that virus-triggered autoimmune disease is the most likely cause of myocarditis. Myocarditis is a rare condition that occurs primarily in men under age 50. The incidence of myocarditis rose at least 15x during the COVID-19 pandemic from 1-10 to 150-400 cases/100,000 individuals, with most cases occurring in men under age 50. COVID-19 vaccination was also associated with rare cases of myocarditis primarily in young men under 50 years of age with an incidence as high as 50 cases/100,000 individuals reported for some mRNA vaccines. Sex differences in the immune response to COVID-19 are virtually identical to the mechanisms known to drive sex differences in myocarditis pre-COVID based on clinical studies and animal models. The many similarities between COVID-19 vaccine-associated myocarditis to COVID-19 myocarditis and non-COVID myocarditis suggest common immune mechanisms drive disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle J. Beetler
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - DeLisa Fairweather
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Olivera S, Graham D. Sex differences in preclinical models of hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 2023; 37:619-625. [PMID: 36335169 PMCID: PMC10403342 DOI: 10.1038/s41371-022-00770-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension remains the primary contributor in the development of cardiovascular disease which is rapidly increasing worldwide. High blood pressure affects men and women differently and understanding these sex differences is the ultimate unmet need for researchers in this field. Due to the inherent differences in hypertension prevalence, control and outcomes between men and women, novel research needs to be carried out to tackle these disparities and improve targeted treatment. Animal models of hypertension have provided valuable insights into the sexual dimorphism of blood pressure mechanisms. The availability of genetic and non-genetic hypertensive strains allows the opportunity to study diverse environmental and genetic factors that affect blood pressure, therefore presenting a valuable tool for researchers. Sex differences are present before birth and throughout life, which presents a challenge for the study of disease development in humans, but these complexities can be resolved with the use of in vivo models that display similarities to human disease. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the different available animal models of hypertension that present sexual dimorphisms and to discuss their relevance to humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sol Olivera
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, 126 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK
| | - Delyth Graham
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, 126 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Nielsen TM, Baldwin J, Fedorka KM. Gene-poor Y-chromosomes substantially impact male trait heritabilities and may help shape sexually dimorphic evolution. Heredity (Edinb) 2023; 130:236-241. [PMID: 36759734 PMCID: PMC10076275 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00596-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
How natural selection facilitates sexually dimorphic evolution despite a shared genome is unclear. The patrilineal inheritance of Y-chromosomes makes them an appealing solution. However, they have largely been dismissed due to their gene-poor, heterochromatic nature and because the additive genetic variation necessary for adaptive evolution is theoretically difficult to maintain. Further, previous empirical work has revealed mostly Y-linked sign epistatic variance segregating within populations, which can often impede adaptive evolution. To assess the evolutionary impact of Y-linked variation, we established replicate populations in Drosophila simulans containing multiple Y-chromosomes (YN populations) or a single Y-chromosome variant (Y1 populations) drawn from a single population. We estimated male and female heritabilities for several traits known to be influenced by Y-chromosomes, including the number of sternopleural bristles, abdominal bristles, sex comb teeth, and tibia length. A decrease in YN heritabilities compared with Y1 would be consistent with Y-chromosome variation being sign epistatic. A decrease in Y1 heritabilities would be consistent with Y-chromosome variation being additive, though additive-by-additive epistatic variation cannot be entirely dismissed. Female heritability estimates served as controls and were not expected to differ. We found male Y1 populations exhibited lower heritabilities for all traits except tibia length; consistent with Y-linked additivity (on average YN trait heritabilities were 25% greater than Y1). Female estimates showed no difference. These data suggest Y-chromosomes should play an important role in male trait evolution and may even influence sexually dimorphic evolution by shaping traits shared by both sexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Møgelvang Nielsen
- University of Central Florida, Biological Sciences Building, 4110 Libra Dr., Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
| | - Jaden Baldwin
- University of Central Florida, Biological Sciences Building, 4110 Libra Dr., Orlando, FL, 32816, USA
| | - Kenneth M Fedorka
- University of Central Florida, Biological Sciences Building, 4110 Libra Dr., Orlando, FL, 32816, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lott N, Gebhard CE, Bengs S, Haider A, Kuster GM, Regitz-Zagrosek V, Gebhard C. Sex hormones in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility: key players or confounders? Nat Rev Endocrinol 2023; 19:217-231. [PMID: 36494595 PMCID: PMC9734735 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-022-00780-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has a clear sex disparity in clinical outcomes. Hence, the interaction between sex hormones, virus entry receptors and immune responses has attracted major interest as a target for the prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections. This Review summarizes the current understanding of the roles of androgens, oestrogens and progesterone in the regulation of virus entry receptors and disease progression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as well as their therapeutic value. Although many experimental and clinical studies have analysed potential mechanisms by which female sex hormones might provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 infectivity, there is currently no clear evidence for a sex-specific expression of virus entry receptors. In addition, reports describing an influence of oestrogen, progesterone and androgens on the course of COVID-19 vary widely. Current data also do not support the administration of oestradiol in COVID-19. The conflicting evidence and lack of consensus results from a paucity of mechanistic studies and clinical trials reporting sex-disaggregated data. Further, the influence of variables beyond biological factors (sex), such as sociocultural factors (gender), on COVID-19 manifestations has not been investigated. Future research will have to fill this knowledge gap as the influence of sex and gender on COVID-19 will be essential to understanding and managing the long-term consequences of this pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Lott
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | | | - Susan Bengs
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Haider
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela M Kuster
- Department of Cardiology and Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vera Regitz-Zagrosek
- Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Catherine Gebhard
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Center for Molecular Cardiology, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland.
- Department of Cardiology, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Brock S, Jackson DB, Soldatos TG, Hornischer K, Schäfer A, Diella F, Emmert MY, Hoerstrup SP. Whole patient knowledge modeling of COVID-19 symptomatology reveals common molecular mechanisms. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR MEDICINE 2023; 2:1035290. [PMID: 39086962 PMCID: PMC11285600 DOI: 10.3389/fmmed.2022.1035290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causes systemic, multi-faceted COVID-19 disease. However, knowledge connecting its intricate clinical manifestations with molecular mechanisms remains fragmented. Deciphering the molecular basis of COVID-19 at the whole-patient level is paramount to the development of effective therapeutic approaches. With this goal in mind, we followed an iterative, expert-driven process to compile data published prior to and during the early stages of the pandemic into a comprehensive COVID-19 knowledge model. Recent updates to this model have also validated multiple earlier predictions, suggesting the importance of such knowledge frameworks in hypothesis generation and testing. Overall, our findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 perturbs several specific mechanisms, unleashing a pathogenesis spectrum, ranging from "a perfect storm" triggered by acute hyper-inflammation, to accelerated aging in protracted "long COVID-19" syndromes. In this work, we shortly report on these findings that we share with the community via 1) a synopsis of key evidence associating COVID-19 symptoms and plausible mechanisms, with details presented within 2) the accompanying "COVID-19 Explorer" webserver, developed specifically for this purpose (found at https://covid19.molecularhealth.com). We anticipate that our model will continue to facilitate clinico-molecular insights across organ systems together with hypothesis generation for the testing of potential repurposing drug candidates, new pharmacological targets and clinically relevant biomarkers. Our work suggests that whole patient knowledge models of human disease can potentially expedite the development of new therapeutic strategies and support evidence-driven clinical hypothesis generation and decision making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Theodoros G. Soldatos
- Molecular Health GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
- SRH Hochschule, University of Applied Science, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Maximilian Y. Emmert
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Wyss Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, German Heart Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon P. Hoerstrup
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Wyss Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gao X, Fang D, Liang Y, Deng X, Chen N, Zeng M, Luo M. Circular RNAs as emerging regulators in COVID-19 pathogenesis and progression. Front Immunol 2022; 13:980231. [PMID: 36439162 PMCID: PMC9681929 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.980231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious acute respiratory disease caused by a newly emerging RNA virus, is a still-growing pandemic that has caused more than 6 million deaths globally and has seriously threatened the lives and health of people across the world. Currently, several drugs have been used in the clinical treatment of COVID-19, such as small molecules, neutralizing antibodies, and monoclonal antibodies. In addition, several vaccines have been used to prevent the spread of the pandemic, such as adenovirus vector vaccines, inactivated vaccines, recombinant subunit vaccines, and nucleic acid vaccines. However, the efficacy of vaccines and the onset of adverse reactions vary among individuals. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucial regulators of viral infections and antiviral immune responses and are heavily involved in COVID-19 pathologies. During novel coronavirus infection, circRNAs not only directly affect the transcription process and interfere with viral replication but also indirectly regulate biological processes, including virus-host receptor binding and the immune response. Consequently, understanding the expression and function of circRNAs during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection will provide novel insights into the development of circRNA-based methods. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the roles and underlying mechanisms of circRNAs that regulate the inflammatory response, viral replication, immune evasion, and cytokines induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection, and thus highlighting the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the treatment of COVID-19 and future research directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Gao
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Dan Fang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Liang
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Ni Chen
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Min Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Mao Luo
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Laboratory for Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
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] [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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aivars Cīrulis
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Bengt Hansson
- Department of Biology, Lund University, 223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Brown JA, Sanidad KZ, Lucotti S, Lieber CM, Cox RM, Ananthanarayanan A, Basu S, Chen J, Shan M, Amir M, Schmidt F, Weisblum Y, Cioffi M, Li T, Rowdo FM, Martin ML, Guo CJ, Lyssiotis C, Layden BT, Dannenberg AJ, Bieniasz PD, Lee B, Inohara N, Matei I, Plemper RK, Zeng MY. Gut microbiota-derived metabolites confer protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2105609. [PMID: 35915556 PMCID: PMC9348133 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2105609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiome is intricately coupled with immune regulation and metabolism, but its role in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is not fully understood. Severe and fatal COVID-19 is characterized by poor anti-viral immunity and hypercoagulation, particularly in males. Here, we define multiple pathways by which the gut microbiome protects mammalian hosts from SARS-CoV-2 intranasal infection, both locally and systemically, via production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs reduced viral burdens in the airways and intestines by downregulating the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and enhancing adaptive immunity via GPR41 and 43 in male animals. We further identify a novel role for the gut microbiome in regulating systemic coagulation response by limiting megakaryocyte proliferation and platelet turnover via the Sh2b3-Mpl axis. Taken together, our findings have unraveled novel functions of SCFAs and fiber-fermenting gut bacteria to dampen viral entry and hypercoagulation and promote adaptive antiviral immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia A. Brown
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Katherine Z. Sanidad
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Serena Lucotti
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Carolin M. Lieber
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University; Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Cox
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University; Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Aparna Ananthanarayanan
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Srijani Basu
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Justin Chen
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
| | - Mengrou Shan
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Mohammed Amir
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Fabian Schmidt
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Yiska Weisblum
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Michele Cioffi
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tingting Li
- Jill Roberts Institute for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Florencia Madorsky Rowdo
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - M. Laura Martin
- Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Chun-Jun Guo
- Jill Roberts Institute for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Costas Lyssiotis
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Brian T. Layden
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Illinois at Chicago; Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Andrew J. Dannenberg
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Paul D. Bieniasz
- Laboratory of Retrovirology, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Benhur Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Naohiro Inohara
- Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan; Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Irina Matei
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Richard K. Plemper
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University; Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Melody Y. Zeng
- Gale and Ira Drukier Institute for Children’s Health, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine; New York, NY, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Cismaru AC, Cismaru LG, Nabavi SF, Berindan-Neagoe I, Clementi E, Banach M, Nabavi SM. Game of "crowning" season 8: RAS and reproductive hormones in COVID-19 - can we end this viral series? Arch Med Sci 2021; 17:275-284. [PMID: 33747262 PMCID: PMC7959061 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2020.96604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of a newly identified coronavirus, the SARS-CoV-2 (alternative name 2019-nCoV), capable of jumping across species causing zoonosis with severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS), has alerted authorities worldwide. Soon after the epidemic was first detected in the city of Wuhan in the Hubei Province of China, starting in late December 2019, the virus spread over multiple countries in different continents, being declared a pandemic by March 2020. The demographic characteristics of the infected patients suggest that age, sex, and comorbidities are predictive factors for the fatality of the infection. The mechanisms of viral entry into the human host cells seem to be in a close relationship with the mechanisms of regulating the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which may explain the pathogenesis associated with the infection. This brings new insights into the possibilities of exploiting viral entry mechanisms to limit associated complications by means of enhancing the resistance of the infected patients using methods of regulating the RAS and strategies of modulating ACE2 expression. In this perspective article we exploit the mechanisms of COVID-19 pathogenesis based on the demographic characteristics of the infected patients reported in the recent literature and explore several approaches of limiting the initial steps of viral entry and pathogenesis based on viral interactions with ACE2 and RAS. We further discuss the implications of reproductive hormones in the regulation of the RAS and investigate the premise of using endocrine therapy against COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Cosmin Cismaru
- Research Centre for functional Genomics, Biomedicine, and Translational Medicine, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Functional Sciences, Immunology, and Allergology, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Laurentiu Gabriel Cismaru
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology-Rehabilitation, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Seyed Fazel Nabavi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Centre, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Division of Translational Medicine, Baqiyatallah Hospital, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ioana Berindan-Neagoe
- Research Centre for functional Genomics, Biomedicine, and Translational Medicine, The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- MEDFUTURE – Research Centre for Advanced Medicine – The “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- The Functional Genomics Department, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Emilio Clementi
- E. Medea Scientific Institute, Bosisio Parini, Italy
- Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Maciej Banach
- Department of Hypertension, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Polish Mothers Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Lodz, Poland
- Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Zielona Gora, Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Seyed Mohammad Nabavi
- Applied Biotechnology Research Centre, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Division of Translational Medicine, Baqiyatallah Hospital, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Monteonofrio L, Florio MC, AlGhatrif M, Lakatta EG, Capogrossi MC. Aging- and gender-related modulation of RAAS: potential implications in COVID-19 disease. VASCULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 3:R1-R14. [PMID: 33537555 PMCID: PMC7849461 DOI: 10.1530/vb-20-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is frequently characterized by a marked inflammatory response with severe pneumonia and respiratory failure associated with multiorgan involvement. Some risk factors predispose patients to develop a more severe infection and to an increased mortality; among them, advanced age and male gender have been identified as major and independent risk factors for COVID-19 poor outcome. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is strictly involved in COVID-19 because angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the host receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and also converts pro-inflammatory angiotensin (Ang) II into anti-inflammatory Ang(1–7). In this review, we have addressed the effect of aging and gender on RAAS with emphasis on ACE2, pro-inflammatory Ang II/Ang II receptor 1 axis and anti-inflammatory Ang(1–7)/Mas receptor axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Monteonofrio
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maria Cristina Florio
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Majd AlGhatrif
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Longitudinal Study Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Division of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Edward G Lakatta
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Maurizio C Capogrossi
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Division of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bienvenu LA, Noonan J, Wang X, Peter K. Higher mortality of COVID-19 in males: sex differences in immune response and cardiovascular comorbidities. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 116:2197-2206. [PMID: 33063089 PMCID: PMC7665363 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The high mortality rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a critical concern of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Strikingly, men account for the majority of COVID-19 deaths, with current figures ranging from 59% to 75% of total mortality. However, despite clear implications in relation to COVID-19 mortality, most research has not considered sex as a critical factor in data analysis. Here, we highlight fundamental biological differences that exist between males and females, and how these may make significant contributions to the male-biased COVID-19 mortality. We present preclinical evidence identifying the influence of biological sex on the expression and regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is the main receptor used by SARS-CoV-2 to enter cells. However, we note that there is a lack of reports showing that sexual dimorphism of ACE2 expression exists and is of functional relevance in humans. In contrast, there is strong evidence, especially in the context of viral infections, that sexual dimorphism plays a central role in the genetic and hormonal regulation of immune responses, both of the innate and the adaptive immune system. We review evidence supporting that ineffective anti-SARS-CoV-2 responses, coupled with a predisposition for inappropriate hyperinflammatory responses, could provide a biological explanation for the male bias in COVID-19 mortality. A prominent finding in COVID-19 is the increased risk of death with pre-existing cardiovascular comorbidities, such as hypertension, obesity, and age. We contextualize how important features of sexual dimorphism and inflammation in COVID-19 may exhibit a reciprocal relationship with comorbidities, and explain their increased mortality risk. Ultimately, we demonstrate that biological sex is a fundamental variable of critical relevance to our mechanistic understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the pursuit of effective COVID-19 preventative and therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Bienvenu
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jonathan Noonan
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Deparment of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Immunobiology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Karlheinz Peter
- Atherothrombosis and Vascular Biology Laboratory, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Deparment of Immunology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
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: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Salah HM, Mehta JL. Hypothesis: Sex-Related Differences in ACE2 Activity May Contribute to Higher Mortality in Men Versus Women With COVID-19. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2020; 26:114-118. [PMID: 33078623 DOI: 10.1177/1074248420967792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) facilitates the cellular entry of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) disease. Recent reports have shown worse outcomes in men with COVID-19 infection compared to women. We review the hypothesis that sex-related differences in outcomes in COVID-19 are due to different activity of ACE2 between men and women. We also show that studies in humans have demonstrated no significant difference in serum ACE2 levels between healthy men and women. However, men with hypertension and heart failure typically have higher level of serum ACE2 activity compared to women. We hypothesize that the worse outcomes in men with COVID-19 compared to women is likely due to higher prevalence of hypertension and heart failure among men compared to women. To test this hypothesis, studies to compare the outcomes of COVID-19 infection between men and women with no preexisting heart diseases are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Husam M Salah
- Department of Internal Medicine, 12215University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Jawahar L Mehta
- Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, 12215University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
Sex differences are prevalent in normal development, physiology and disease pathogeneses. Recent studies have demonstrated that mosaic loss of Y chromosome and aberrant activation of its genes could modify the disease processes in male biased manners. This mini review discusses the nature of the genes on the human Y chromosome and identifies two general categories of genes: those sharing dosage-sensitivity functions with their X homologues and those with testis-specific expression and functions. Mosaic loss of the former disrupts the homeostasis important for the maintenance of health while aberrant activation of the latter promotes pathogenesis in non-gonadal tissues, thereby contributing to genetic predispositions to diseases in men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Fai Chris Lau
- Division of Cell and Developmental Genetics, Department of Medicine, San Francisco VA Health Care System, University of California, San Francisco, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121 USA.,Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Aortic aneurysms are a common vascular disease in Western populations that can involve virtually any portion of the aorta. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are much more common than thoracic aortic aneurysms and combined they account for >25 000 deaths in the United States annually. Although thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms share some common characteristics, including the gross anatomic appearance, alterations in extracellular matrix, and loss of smooth muscle cells, they are distinct diseases. In recent years, advances in genetic analysis, robust molecular tools, and increased availability of animal models have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysms. This review examines the various proposed cellular mechanisms responsible for aortic aneurysm formation and identifies opportunities for future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raymundo Alain Quintana
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (R.A.Q., W.R.T.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
| | - W Robert Taylor
- From the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine (R.A.Q., W.R.T.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.,Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology (W.R.T.), Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.,Division of Cardiology, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA (W.R.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Lee SH, Lee YH, Jung SW, Kim DJ, Park SH, Song SJ, Jeong KH, Moon JY, Ihm CG, Lee TW, Kim JS, Sohn IS, Lee SY, Kim DO, Kim YG. Sex-related differences in the intratubular renin-angiotensin system in two-kidney, one-clip hypertensive rats. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2019; 317:F670-F682. [PMID: 31339773 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00451.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The intratubular renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is thought to play an essential role in hypertensive renal disease, but information regarding sex-related differences in this system is limited. The present study investigated sex differences in the intratubular RAS in two-kidney, one-clip (2K1C) rats. A 2.5-mm clip was placed on the left renal artery of Sprague-Dawley rats, and rats were euthanized 3 or 5 wk after the operation. Systolic blood pressure increased in 2K1C rats in both sexes but was significantly higher in male rats than in female rats, and an antihypertensive effect was not observed in 2K1C ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Compared with male 2K1C rats, intratubular angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ANG II were repressed, and intratubular ACE2, angiotensin (1-7), and Mas receptor were increased in both kidneys in female 2K1C rats 5 wk after surgery. Comparison with male and female rats and intratubular mRNA levels of ACE and ANG II type 1 receptor were augmented in OVX female rats, regardless of the clipping surgery 3 wk postoperation. ANG II type 2 receptor was upregulated in female rats with or without OVX; thus, the ANG II type 1-to-type 2 receptor ratio was higher in male rats than in female rats. In conclusion, female rats were protected from hypertensive renal and cardiac injury after renal artery clipping. An increase in the intratubular nonclassic RAS [ACE2/angiotensin (1-7)/Mas receptor] and a decrease in the ANG II type 1-to-type 2 receptor ratio could limit the adverse effects of the classic RAS during renovascular hypertension in female rats, and estrogen is suggested to play a primary role in the regulation of intratubular RAS components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sang Ho Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yu Ho Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Su Woong Jung
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Dong Jin Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seon Hwa Park
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seok Jong Song
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyung Hwan Jeong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ju Young Moon
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chun-Gyoo Ihm
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae Won Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Sug Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Il Suk Sohn
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - So-Young Lee
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, South Korea
| | - Dong-Ok Kim
- Division of Anesthesiology, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yang Gyun Kim
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Khan SI, Andrews KL, Jennings GL, Sampson AK, Chin-Dusting JPF. Y Chromosome, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease: Is Inflammation the Answer? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20122892. [PMID: 31200567 PMCID: PMC6627840 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20122892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It is now becomingly increasingly evident that the functions of the mammalian Y chromosome are not circumscribed to the induction of male sex. While animal studies have shown variations in the Y are strongly accountable for blood pressure (BP), this is yet to be confirmed in humans. We have recently shown modulation of adaptive immunity to be a significant mechanism underpinning Y-chromosome-dependent differences in BP in consomic strains. This is paralleled by studies in man showing Y chromosome haplogroup is a significant predictor for coronary artery disease through influencing pathways of immunity. Furthermore, recent studies in mice and humans have shown that Y chromosome lineage determines susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Here we review the evidence in animals and humans that Y chromosome lineage influences hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk, with a novel focus on pathways of immunity as a significant pathway involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shanzana I Khan
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Karen L Andrews
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Garry L Jennings
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Amanda K Sampson
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| | - Jaye P F Chin-Dusting
- Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
- Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Colafella KMM, Denton KM. Sex-specific differences in hypertension and associated cardiovascular disease. Nat Rev Nephrol 2018; 14:185-201. [PMID: 29380817 DOI: 10.1038/nrneph.2017.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Although intrinsic mechanisms that regulate arterial blood pressure (BP) are similar in men and women, marked variations exist at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. These physiological disparities between the sexes likely contribute to differences in disease onset, susceptibility, prevalence and treatment responses. Key systems that are important in the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD), including the sympathetic nervous system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the immune system, are differentially activated in males and females. Biological age also contributes to sexual dimorphism, as premenopausal women experience a higher degree of cardioprotection than men of similar age. Furthermore, sex hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone as well as sex chromosome complement likely contribute to sex differences in BP and CVD. At the cellular level, differences in cell senescence pathways may contribute to increased longevity in women and may also limit organ damage caused by hypertension. In addition, many lifestyle and environmental factors - such as smoking, alcohol consumption and diet - may influence BP and CVD in a sex-specific manner. Evidence suggests that cardioprotection in women is lost under conditions of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Treatment strategies for hypertension and CVD that are tailored according to sex could lead to improved outcomes for affected patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M Mirabito Colafella
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, 26 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Division of Vascular Medicine and Pharmacology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kate M Denton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, 26 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Boese AC, Chang L, Yin KJ, Chen YE, Lee JP, Hamblin MH. Sex differences in abdominal aortic aneurysms. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2018; 314:H1137-H1152. [PMID: 29350999 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00519.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a vascular disorder with a high case fatality rate in the instance of rupture. AAA is a multifactorial disease, and the etiology is still not fully understood. AAA is more likely to occur in men, but women have a greater risk of rupture and worse prognosis. Women are reportedly protected against AAA possibly by premenopausal levels of estrogen and are, on average, diagnosed at older ages than men. Here, we review the present body of research on AAA pathophysiology in humans, animal models, and cultured cells, with an emphasis on sex differences and sex steroid hormone signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin C Boese
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Lin Chang
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ke-Jie Yin
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Y Eugene Chen
- Center for Advanced Models for Translational Sciences and Therapeutics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jean-Pyo Lee
- Department of Physiology, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana.,Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| | - Milton H Hamblin
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine , New Orleans, Louisiana
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Meyfour A, Pooyan P, Pahlavan S, Rezaei-Tavirani M, Gourabi H, Baharvand H, Salekdeh GH. Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project Allies with Developmental Biology: A Case Study of the Role of Y Chromosome Genes in Organ Development. J Proteome Res 2017; 16:4259-4272. [PMID: 28914051 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the main goals of Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project is to identify protein evidence for missing proteins (MPs). Here, we present a case study of the role of Y chromosome genes in organ development and how to overcome the challenges facing MPs identification by employing human pluripotent stem cell differentiation into cells of different organs yielding unprecedented biological insight into adult silenced proteins. Y chromosome is a male-specific sex chromosome which escapes meiotic recombination. From an evolutionary perspective, Y chromosome has preserved 3% of ancestral genes compared to 98% preservation of the X chromosome based on Ohno's law. Male specific region of Y chromosome (MSY) contains genes that contribute to central dogma and govern the expression of various targets throughout the genome. One of the most well-known functions of MSY genes is to decide the male-specific characteristics including sex, testis formation, and spermatogenesis, which are majorly formed by ampliconic gene families. Beyond its role in sex-specific gonad development, MSY genes in coexpression with their X counterparts, as single copy and broadly expressed genes, inhibit haplolethality and play a key role in embryogenesis. The role of X-Y related gene mutations in the development of hereditary syndromes suggests an essential contribution of sex chromosome genes to development. MSY genes, solely and independent of their X counterparts and/or in association with sex hormones, have a considerable impact on organ development. In this Review, we present major recent findings on the contribution of MSY genes to gonad formation, spermatogenesis, and the brain, heart, and kidney development and discuss how Y chromosome proteome project may exploit developmental biology to find missing proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Meyfour
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research , 81589-68433 Tehran, Iran.,Proteomics Research Center, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , 19839-63113 Tehran, Iran
| | - Paria Pooyan
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research , 81589-68433 Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Pahlavan
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research , 81589-68433 Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Rezaei-Tavirani
- Proteomics Research Center, Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences , 19839-63113 Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Gourabi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute , 19395-4644 Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research , 81589-68433 Tehran, Iran.,Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture , 19395-4644 Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Hosseini Salekdeh
- Department of Molecular Systems Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research , 81589-68433 Tehran, Iran.,Department of Systems Biology, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran , 31535-1897 Karaj, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Maan AA, Eales J, Akbarov A, Rowland J, Xu X, Jobling MA, Charchar FJ, Tomaszewski M. The Y chromosome: a blueprint for men's health? Eur J Hum Genet 2017; 25:1181-1188. [PMID: 28853720 PMCID: PMC5643963 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2017.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Y chromosome has long been considered a 'genetic wasteland' on a trajectory to completely disappear from the human genome. The perception of its physiological function was restricted to sex determination and spermatogenesis. These views have been challenged in recent times with the identification of multiple ubiquitously expressed Y-chromosome genes and the discovery of several unexpected associations between the Y chromosome, immune system and complex polygenic traits. The collected evidence suggests that the Y chromosome influences immune and inflammatory responses in men, translating into genetically programmed susceptibility to diseases with a strong immune component. Phylogenetic studies reveal that carriers of a common European lineage of the Y chromosome (haplogroup I) possess increased risk of coronary artery disease. This occurs amidst upregulation of inflammation and suppression of adaptive immunity in this Y lineage, as well as inferior outcomes in human immunodeficiency virus infection. From structural analysis and experimental data, the UTY (Ubiquitously Transcribed Tetratricopeptide Repeat Containing, Y-Linked) gene is emerging as a promising candidate underlying the associations between Y-chromosome variants and the immunity-driven susceptibility to complex disease. This review synthesises the recent structural, experimental and clinical insights into the human Y chromosome in the context of men's susceptibility to disease (with a particular emphasis on cardiovascular disease) and provides an overview of the paradigm shift in the perception of the Y chromosome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akhlaq A Maan
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - James Eales
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Artur Akbarov
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Joshua Rowland
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Xiaoguang Xu
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mark A Jobling
- Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Fadi J Charchar
- School of Applied and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Federation University, Mount Helen Campus, Ballarat, VIC, Australia
| | - Maciej Tomaszewski
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Division of Medicine, Central Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Parmar PG, Taal HR, Timpson NJ, Thiering E, Lehtimäki T, Marinelli M, Lind PA, Howe LD, Verwoert G, Aalto V, Uitterlinden AG, Briollais L, Evans DM, Wright MJ, Newnham JP, Whitfield JB, Lyytikäinen LP, Rivadeneira F, Boomsma DI, Viikari J, Gillman MW, St Pourcain B, Hottenga JJ, Montgomery GW, Hofman A, Kähönen M, Martin NG, Tobin MD, Raitakari O, Vioque J, Jaddoe VW, Jarvelin MR, Beilin LJ, Heinrich J, van Duijn CM, Pennell CE, Lawlor DA, Palmer LJ. International Genome-Wide Association Study Consortium Identifies Novel Loci Associated With Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents. CIRCULATION. CARDIOVASCULAR GENETICS 2016; 9:266-278. [PMID: 26969751 PMCID: PMC5279885 DOI: 10.1161/circgenetics.115.001190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our aim was to identify genetic variants associated with blood pressure (BP) in childhood and adolescence. METHODS AND RESULTS Genome-wide association study data from participating European ancestry cohorts of the Early Genetics and Lifecourse Epidemiology (EAGLE) Consortium was meta-analyzed across 3 epochs; prepuberty (4-7 years), puberty (8-12 years), and postpuberty (13-20 years). Two novel loci were identified as having genome-wide associations with systolic BP across specific age epochs: rs1563894 (ITGA11, located in active H3K27Ac mark and transcription factor chromatin immunoprecipitation and 5'-C-phosphate-G-3' methylation site) during prepuberty (P=2.86×10(-8)) and rs872256 during puberty (P=8.67×10(-9)). Several single-nucleotide polymorphism clusters were also associated with childhood BP at P<5×10(-3). Using a P value threshold of <5×10(-3), we found some overlap in variants across the different age epochs within our study and between several single-nucleotide polymorphisms in any of the 3 epochs and adult BP-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that genetic determinants of BP act from childhood, develop over the lifecourse, and show some evidence of age-specific effects.
Collapse
|
26
|
Lo CS, Shi Y, Chang SY, Abdo S, Chenier I, Filep JG, Ingelfinger JR, Zhang SL, Chan JSD. Overexpression of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein F stimulates renal Ace-2 gene expression and prevents TGF-β1-induced kidney injury in a mouse model of diabetes. Diabetologia 2015; 58:2443-54. [PMID: 26232095 PMCID: PMC4572079 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-015-3700-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS We investigated whether heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein F (hnRNP F) stimulates renal ACE-2 expression and prevents TGF-β1 signalling, TGF-β1 inhibition of Ace-2 gene expression and induction of tubulo-fibrosis in an Akita mouse model of type 1 diabetes. METHODS Adult male Akita transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing specifically hnRNP F in their renal proximal tubular cells (RPTCs) were studied. Non-Akita littermates and Akita mice served as controls. Immortalised rat RPTCs stably transfected with plasmid containing either rat Hnrnpf cDNA or rat Ace-2 gene promoter were also studied. RESULTS Overexpression of hnRNP F attenuated systemic hypertension, glomerular filtration rate, albumin/creatinine ratio, urinary angiotensinogen (AGT) and angiotensin (Ang) II levels, renal fibrosis and profibrotic gene (Agt, Tgf-β1, TGF-β receptor II [Tgf-βrII]) expression, stimulated anti-profibrotic gene (Ace-2 and Ang 1-7 receptor [MasR]) expression, and normalised urinary Ang 1-7 level in Akita Hnrnpf-Tg mice as compared with Akita mice. In vitro, hnRNP F overexpression stimulated Ace-2 gene promoter activity, mRNA and protein expression, and attenuated Agt, Tgf-β1 and Tgf-βrII gene expression. Furthermore, hnRNP F overexpression prevented TGF-β1 signalling and TGF-β1 inhibition of Ace-2 gene expression. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION These data demonstrate that hnRNP F stimulates Ace-2 gene transcription, prevents TGF-β1 inhibition of Ace-2 gene transcription and induction of kidney injury in diabetes. HnRNP F may be a potential target for treating hypertension and renal fibrosis in diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Sheng Lo
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) - Tour Viger Pavillon R, Université de Montréal, 900 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Yixuan Shi
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) - Tour Viger Pavillon R, Université de Montréal, 900 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Shiao-Ying Chang
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) - Tour Viger Pavillon R, Université de Montréal, 900 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Shaaban Abdo
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) - Tour Viger Pavillon R, Université de Montréal, 900 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Isabelle Chenier
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) - Tour Viger Pavillon R, Université de Montréal, 900 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada
| | - Janos G Filep
- Research Centre, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Julie R Ingelfinger
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shao-Ling Zhang
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) - Tour Viger Pavillon R, Université de Montréal, 900 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada.
| | - John S D Chan
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) - Tour Viger Pavillon R, Université de Montréal, 900 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal, QC, H2X 0A9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Prokop JW, Deschepper CF. Chromosome Y genetic variants: impact in animal models and on human disease. Physiol Genomics 2015; 47:525-37. [PMID: 26286457 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00074.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome Y (chrY) variation has been associated with many complex diseases ranging from cancer to cardiovascular disorders. Functional roles of chrY genes outside of testes are suggested by the fact that they are broadly expressed in many other tissues and correspond to regulators of basic cellular functions (such as transcription, translation, and protein stability). However, the unique genetic properties of chrY (including the lack of meiotic crossover and the presence of numerous highly repetitive sequences) have made the identification of causal variants very difficult. Despite the prior lack of reliable sequences and/or data on genetic polymorphisms, earlier studies with animal chrY consomic strains have made it possible to narrow down the phenotypic contributions of chrY. Some of the evidence so far indicates that chrY gene variants associate with regulatory changes in the expression of other autosomal genes, in part via epigenetic effects. In humans, a limited number of studies have shown associations between chrY haplotypes and disease traits. However, recent sequencing efforts have made it possible to greatly increase the identification of genetic variants on chrY, which promises that future association of chrY with disease traits will be further refined. Continuing studies (both in humans and in animal models) will be critical to help explain the many sex-biased disease states in human that are contributed to not only by the classical sex steroid hormones, but also by chrY genetics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J W Prokop
- HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, Alabama; and
| | - C F Deschepper
- Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) and Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Araujo FC, Milsted A, Watanabe IKM, Del Puerto HL, Santos RAS, Lazar J, Reis FM, Prokop JW. Similarities and differences of X and Y chromosome homologous genes, SRY and SOX3, in regulating the renin-angiotensin system promoters. Physiol Genomics 2015; 47:177-86. [PMID: 25759379 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00138.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is subject to sex-specific modulation by hormones and gene products. However, sex differences in the balance between the vasoconstrictor/proliferative ACE/ANG II/AT1 axis, and the vasodilator/antiproliferative ACE2/ANG-(1-7)/MAS axis are poorly known. Data in the rat have suggested the male-specific Y-chromosome gene Sry to contribute to balance between these two axes, but why the testis-determining gene has these functions remains unknown. A combination of in silico genetic/protein comparisons, functional luciferase assays for promoters of the human RAS, and RNA-Seq profiling in rat were used to address if regulation of Sry on the RAS is conserved in the homologous X-chromosome gene, Sox3. Both SRY and SOX3 upregulated the promoter of Angiotensinogen (AGT) and downregulated the promoters of ACE2, AT2, and MAS, likely through overlapping mechanisms. The regulation by both SRY and SOX3 on the MAS promoter indicates a cis regulation through multiple SOX binding sites. The Renin (REN) promoter is upregulated by SRY and downregulated by SOX3, likely through trans and cis mechanisms, respectively. Sry transcripts are found in all analyzed male rat tissues including the kidney, while Sox3 transcripts are found only in the brain and testis, suggesting that the primary tissue for renin production (kidney) can only be regulated by SRY and not SOX3. These results suggest that SRY regulation of the RAS is partially shared with its X-chromosome homolog SOX3, but SRY gained a sex-specific control in the kidney for the rate-limiting step of the RAS, potentially resulting in male-specific blood pressure regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiano C Araujo
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Medicine and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Amy Milsted
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio
| | - Ingrid K M Watanabe
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helen L Del Puerto
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Medicine and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Robson A S Santos
- Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jozef Lazar
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Fernando M Reis
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Molecular Medicine and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Jeremy W Prokop
- Human and Molecular Genetics Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Qu J, Che Y, Xu P, Xia Y, Wu X, Wang Y. The Higher Response of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Angiotensin-II to Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2015; 8:373-8. [PMID: 25780518 PMCID: PMC4355923 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2015.4176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background This research investigated the response of vascular active factors, vascular
endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiotensin-II (AT-II) to ovarian stimulation during 24 hours in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and Methods In this clinical trial study, 52 patients with PCOS and 8 control
cases were stimulated with human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on the 4th to 7th day
of the patients’ natural or induced menstrual cycles. We measured VEGF and AT-II by
radioimmunoassay before the injection (0 hour) and 3, 8, 12, 18 and 24 hours after the
stimulation. Results After ovarian stimulation, there was substantially higher level of VEGF in
typical PCOS patients than the other three groups at the 3 hour time point (p<0.05),
while there were no significant differences in VEGF at all the other time points
among the four groups. As for AT-II, before and at all time points after the ovarian
stimulation, it seemed that the AT-II levels in patients’ sera with different phenotypes of PCOS by the Rotterdam criteria were all higher than in the control group
although the differences were not statistically significant. The level of AT-II in typical PCOS patients was also significantly higher than the other three groups at the 3
hour time point (p<0.05), while no significant differences at all the other time points
among the four groups were observed. Conclusion The response to the stimulation varied among patients with different phenotypes of PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria. Serum VEGF and AT-II were possible contributors to an increased risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
(OHSS) in patients with typical PCOS during the early follicular phase (3 hours) after
ovarian stimulation (Registration Number: NCT02265861).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junwei Qu
- Department of Gynecological Oncology Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital and Institute, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yena Che
- Translational Medicine Center and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Pei Xu
- Translational Medicine Center and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yanjie Xia
- Translational Medicine Center and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiaoke Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Translational Medicine Center and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Li Y, Kido T, Garcia-Barcelo MM, Tam PKH, Tabatabai ZL, Lau YFC. SRY interference of normal regulation of the RET gene suggests a potential role of the Y-chromosome gene in sexual dimorphism in Hirschsprung disease. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 24:685-97. [PMID: 25267720 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a complex congenital disorder, arising from abnormalities in enteric nervous system (ENS) development. There is a gender disparity among the patients, with the male to female ratio as high as 5 : 1. Loss-of-function mutations of HSCR genes and haploinsufficiency of their gene products are the primary pathogenic mechanisms for disease development. Recent studies identified over half of the HSCR disease susceptibility genes as targets for the sex-determining factor SRY, suggesting that this Y-encoded transcription factor could be involved in sexual dimorphism in HSCR. Among the SRY targets, the tyrosine kinase receptor RET represents the most important disease gene, whose mutations account for half of the familial and up to one-third of the sporadic forms of HSCR. RET is regulated by a distal and a proximal enhancer at its promoter, in which PAX3 and NKX2-1 are the resident transcription factors respectively. We show that the SRY-box 10 (SOX10) co-activator interacts and forms transcriptional complexes with PAX3 and NKX2-1 in a sequence-independent manner and exacerbates their respective transactivation activities on the RET promoter. SRY competitively displaces SOX10 in such transcription complexes and represses their regulatory functions on RET. Hence SRY could be a Y-located negative modifier of RET expression; and if it is ectopically expressed during ENS development, such SRY repression could result in RET protein haploinsufficiency and promotion of HSCR development, thereby contributing to sexual dimorphism in HSCR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunmin Li
- Department of Medicine Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, USA and
| | - Tatsuo Kido
- Department of Medicine Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, USA and
| | - Maria M Garcia-Barcelo
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Paul K H Tam
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Yun-Fai Chris Lau
- Department of Medicine Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, USA and
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Haroon J, Foureaux G, Martins AS, Ferreira AJ, Reis AM, Javed Q. Gender differences in normal left ventricle of adult FVB/N mice due to variation in interleukins and natriuretic peptides expression levels. Cytokine 2014; 71:54-9. [PMID: 25226444 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2014.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the sex differences for physical, morphological, histological, mRNA, and protein expression levels changes for interleukins and natriuretic peptides in left ventricle (LV) of two groups of adult FVB/N mice; males (WM) and females (WF). LV morphological, histological, reverse transcription and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR), and immunohistochemical (IHC) alterations were determined in FVB/N mice at 34-35 weeks on gender basis. Confirming the gender dimorphism, FVB/N males (WM) illustrated a significant reduction in ANP and IL1-A levels as well as significantly increased body weight (BW (gm)), tibia length (TL (mm)), heart weight (HW (mg)), heart weight-to-body weight (HW/BW (mg/gm)) ratio, heart weight-to-tibia length (HW/TL (mg/mm)) ratio, left ventricle weight (LV (mg)), left ventricle-to-body weight (LV/BW (mg/gm)) ratio, and left ventricle-to-tibia length (LV/TL (mg/mm)) ratio, left ventricular (LV) cardiomyocyte diameter, high BNP, NPRA, IL-1B, and IL1R1 expression in comparison with FVB/N females (WF). Gender differences in relation to left ventricle (LV) may be due to differences in the interleukins and natriuretic peptides levels as an outcome of sex related hormones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Javeria Haroon
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Giselle Foureaux
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Almir S Martins
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Anderson J Ferreira
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adelina M Reis
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), 31270-010 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Qamar Javed
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan; Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Sampson AK, Andrews KL, Graham D, McBride MW, Head GA, Thomas MC, Chin-Dusting JPF, Dominiczak AF, Jennings GL. Origin of the Y chromosome influences intrarenal vascular responsiveness to angiotensin I and angiotensin (1-7) in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Hypertension 2014; 64:1376-83. [PMID: 25201895 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.114.03756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The lineage of the Y chromosome accounts for up to 15 to 20 mm Hg in arterial pressure. Genes located on the Y chromosome from the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) are associated with the renin-angiotensin system. Given the important role of the renin-angiotensin system in the renal regulation of fluid homeostasis and arterial pressure, we hypothesized that the origin of the Y chromosome influences arterial pressure via interaction between the intrarenal vasculature and the renin-angiotensin system. Sixteen-week-old normotensive rats (Wistar Kyoto [WKY]), spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rat (SHRSP), and 2 reciprocal Y consomic rat strains, 1 comprising the WKY autosomes and X chromosome with the Y chromosome from the hypertensive rat strain (WKY.SPGlaY) and vice versa (SP.WKYGlaY), were examined. SP.WKYGlaY had lower systolic blood pressure than SHRSP (195±5 versus 227±8 mm Hg; P<0.03), whereas WKY.SPGlaY had higher systolic blood pressure compared with WKY (157±3 versus 148±3 mm Hg; P<0.05), measured by radiotelemetry. Compared with WKY rats, SHRSP had higher plasma angiotensin(1-7) (Ang (1-7)):Ang II ratio (WKY: 0.13±0.01 versus SHRSP: 1.33±0.4; P<0.005), greater angiotensin II receptor type 2 and Mas receptor mRNA expression, and a blunted renal constrictor response to intrarenal Ang I and Ang(1-7) infusions. Introgression of the normotensive Y chromosome into the SHRSP background (SP.WKYGlaY) restored responses in the SHRSP to WKY levels, evidenced by a reduction in plasma Ang(1-7):Ang II ratio (SP.WKYGlaY: 0.24±0.02; P<0.01), angiotensin II receptor type 2, and Mas receptor mRNA expression and an increased vasoconstrictor response to intrarenal Ang I and Ang(1-7) infusion. This study demonstrates that the origin of the Y chromosome significantly impacts the renal vascular responsiveness and therefore may influence the long-term renal regulation of blood pressure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Sampson
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.).
| | - Karen L Andrews
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.)
| | - Delyth Graham
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.)
| | - Martin W McBride
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.)
| | - Geoffrey A Head
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.)
| | - Merlin C Thomas
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.)
| | - Jaye P F Chin-Dusting
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.)
| | - Anna F Dominiczak
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.)
| | - Garry L Jennings
- From the Director's Research Group (A.K.S., G.L.J.), Department of Vascular Pharmacology (A.K.S., K.L.A., J.P.F.C.-D.), Department of Neuropharmacology (G.A.H.), and Department of Diabetic Complications (M.C.T.), Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; and Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom (D.G., M.W.M., A.F.D.)
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Czech DP, Lee J, Correia J, Loke H, Möller EK, Harley VR. Transient neuroprotection by SRY upregulation in dopamine cells following injury in males. Endocrinology 2014; 155:2602-12. [PMID: 24708242 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-2158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggest sex-specific regulation of dopamine neurons may underlie susceptibility of males to disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD). In healthy male dopamine neurons, the Y-chromosome gene product, the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome (SRY) modulates dopamine biosynthesis and motor function. We investigated the regulation and function of SRY in a model of dopamine cell injury. Treatment with the dopaminergic toxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), significantly elevated SRY mRNA expression (9-fold) in human male dopamine M17 cells. SRY up-regulation occurred via the p-quinone pathway, associated with a 3.5-fold increase in expression of GADD45γ, a DNA damage inducible factor gene and known SRY regulator. In turn, a signaling cascade involving GADD45γ/p38-MAPK/GATA activated the SRY promoter. Knockdown of SRY mRNA in 6-OHDA-treated M17 cells was deleterious, increasing levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), pro-apoptotic marker PUMA mRNA, and cell injury (+25%, +32% and +34%, respectively). Conversely, ectopic over-expression of SRY in 6-OHDA-treated female SH-SY5Y cells was protective, decreasing ROS, PUMA, and cell injury (-40%, -46%, and -30%, respectively). However, the 6-OHDA-induced increase in SRY expression was diminished with higher concentrations of toxins or with chronic exposure to 6-OHDA. We conclude that SRY upregulation after dopamine cell injury is initially a protective response in males, but diminishes with gradual loss in dopamine cells. We speculate that dysregulation of SRY may contribute the susceptibility of males to PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P Czech
- Brain and Gender Laboratory (D.P.C., J.L., J.C., H.L., E.K.M., V.R.H.), MIMR-PHI (formerly Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (D.P.C., V.R.H.), and Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology (J.L., V.R.H), Monash University, Melbourne, 3168, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
MAS promoter regulation: a role for Sry and tyrosine nitration of the KRAB domain of ZNF274 as a feedback mechanism. Clin Sci (Lond) 2014; 126:727-38. [PMID: 24128372 DOI: 10.1042/cs20130385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2)/Ang-(1-7) [angiotensin-(1-7)]/MAS axis of the RAS (renin-angiotensin system) has emerged as a pathway of interest in treating both cardiovascular disorders and cancer. The MAS protein is known to bind to and be activated by Ang-(1-7); however, the mechanisms of this activation are just starting to be understood. Although there are strong biochemical data regarding the regulation and activation of the AT1R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor) and the AT2R (angiotensin II type 2 receptor), with models of how AngII (angiotensin II) binds each receptor, fewer studies have characterized MAS. In the present study, we characterize the MAS promoter and provide a potential feedback mechanism that could compensate for MAS degradation following activation by Ang-(1-7). Analysis of ENCODE data for the MAS promoter revealed potential epigenetic control by KRAB (Krüppel-associated box)/KAP-1 (KRAB-associated protein-1). A proximal promoter construct for the MAS gene was repressed by the SOX [SRY (sex-determining region on the Y chromosome) box] proteins SRY, SOX2, SOX3 and SOX14, of which SRY is known to interact with the KRAB domain. The KRAB-KAP-1 complex can be tyrosine-nitrated, causing the dissociation of the KAP-1 protein and thus a potential loss of epigenetic control. Activation of MAS can lead to an increase in nitric oxide, suggesting a feedback mechanism for MAS on its own promoter. The results of the present study provide a more complete view of MAS regulation and, for the first time, suggest biochemical outcomes for nitration of the KRAB domain.
Collapse
|
35
|
Abstract
Sex differences exist in the regulation of arterial pressure and renal function by the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). This may in part stem from a differential balance in the pressor and depressor arms of the RAS. In males, the ACE/AngII/AT(1)R pathways are enhanced, whereas, in females, the balance is shifted towards the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MasR and AT(2)R pathways. Evidence clearly demonstrates that premenopausal women, as compared to aged-matched men, are protected from renal and cardiovascular disease, and this differential balance of the RAS between the sexes likely contributes. With aging, this cardiovascular protection in women is lost and this may be related to loss of estrogen postmenopause but the possible contribution of other sex hormones needs to be further examined. Restoration of these RAS depressor pathways in older women, or up-regulation of these in males, represents a therapeutic target that is worth pursuing.
Collapse
|
36
|
Lee J, Harley VR. The male fight-flight response: A result of SRY regulation of catecholamines? Bioessays 2012; 34:454-7. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.201100159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
37
|
Sampson AK, Jennings GLR, Chin-Dusting JPF. Y are males so difficult to understand?: a case where "X" does not mark the spot. Hypertension 2012; 59:525-31. [PMID: 22291445 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.111.187880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Sampson
- Vascular Pharmacology, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004 Australia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
From rat to human: regulation of Renin-Angiotensin system genes by sry. Int J Hypertens 2012; 2012:724240. [PMID: 22315667 PMCID: PMC3270428 DOI: 10.1155/2012/724240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2011] [Revised: 09/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The testis determining protein, Sry, has functions outside of testis determination. Multiple Sry loci are found on the Y-chromosome. Proteins from these loci have differential activity on promoters of renin-angiotensin system genes, possibly contributing to elevation of blood pressure. Variation at amino acid 76 accounts for the majority of differential effects by rat proteins Sry1 and Sry3. Human SRY regulated rat promoters in the same manner as rat Sry, elevating Agt, Ren, and Ace promoter activity while downregulating Ace 2. Human SRY significantly regulated human promoters of AGT, REN, ACE2, AT2, and MAS compared to control levels, elevating AGT and REN promoter activity while decreasing ACE2, AT2, and MAS. While the effect of human SRY on individual genes is often modest, we show that many different genes participating in the renin-angiotensin system can be affected by SRY, apparently in coordinated fashion, to produce more Ang II and less Ang-(1-7).
Collapse
|
39
|
Ely D, Boehme S, Dunphy G, Hart M, Chiarappa F, Miller B, Martins AS, Turner M, Milsted A. The Sry3 Y chromosome locus elevates blood pressure and renin-angiotensin system indexes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 8:126-38. [PMID: 21536231 DOI: 10.1016/j.genm.2010.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2010] [Revised: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 11/14/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex-determining region Y (Sry) is a transcription factor. Our research group has shown that there are multiple copies of Sry in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneous hypertensive (SHR) rats, and that they have novel functions separate from testes determination. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that exogenously delivered Sry3 to the normotensive WKY male kidney would activate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and raise blood pressure (BP), based on previous in vitro studies. METHODS Sry3 or control vector was electroporated to the left kidney of male WKY rats and the following measurements were taken: BP by telemetry, renin-angiotensin measures by radioimmunoassay, plasma and tissue catecholamines by HPLC with electrochemical detection, sodium by flame photometry, and inulin by ELISA. RESULTS Sry3 increased BP 10 to 20 mm Hg compared with controls (P < 0.01) and produced a significant 40% decrease in urine sodium compared with controls (P < 0.05). Sry3 increased renal angiotensin II and plasma renin activity by >100% compared with controls (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION The findings presented here confirm and extend the argument for Sry3 as one of the genes responsible for the SHR hypertensive Y chromosome phenotype and are consistent with increased tissue RAS activity due to Sry3 and increased sodium reabsorption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ely
- Department of Biology, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3908, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Turner ME, Ely D, Prokop J, Milsted A. Sry, more than testis determination? Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2011; 301:R561-71. [PMID: 21677270 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00645.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The Sry locus on the mammalian Y chromosome is the developmental switch responsible for testis determination. Inconsistent with this important function, the Sry locus is transcribed in adult males at times and in tissues not involved with testis determination. Sry is expressed in multiple tissues of the peripheral and central nervous system. Sry is derived from Sox3 and is similar to other SOXB family loci. The SOXB loci are responsible for nervous system development. Sry has been demonstrated to modulate the catecholamine pathway, so it should have functional consequences in the central and peripheral nervous system. The nervous system expression and potential function are consistent with Sry as a SOXB family member. In mammals, Sox3 is X-linked and undergoes dosage compensation in females. The expression of Sry in adult males allows for a type of sexual differentiation independent of circulating gonadal hormones. A quantitative difference in Sox3 plus Sry expression in males vs. females could drive changes in the transcriptome of these cells, differentiating male and female cells. Sry expression and its transcriptional effects should be considered when investigating sexual dimorphic phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monte E Turner
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Chen Q, Yu CQ, Tang X, Chen DF, Tian J, Cao Y, Fan WY, Cao WH, Zhan SY, Lv J, Guo XX, Hu YH, Lee LM. Interactions of renin–angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and antihypertensive effect of benazepril in Chinese population. Pharmacogenomics 2011; 12:735-43. [DOI: 10.2217/pgs.11.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are widely used antihypertensive drugs with individual response variation. We studied whether interactions of AGT, AGTR1 and ACE2 gene polymorphisms affect this response. Materials & methods: Our study is based on a 3-year field trial with 1831 hypertensive patients prescribed benazepril. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction was used to explore interaction models and logistic regressions were used to confirm them. Results: A two-locus model involving the AGT and ACE2 genes was found in males, the sensitive genotypes showed an odds ratio (OR) of 1.9 (95% CI: 1.3–2.8) when compared with nonsensitive genotypes. Two AGT–AGTR1 models were found in females, with an OR of 3.5 (95% CI: 2.0–5.9) and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.8–5.3). Conclusion: Gender-specific gene–gene interactions of the AGT, AGTR1 and ACE2 genes were associated with individual variation of response to benazepril. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding. Original submitted 1 November 2010; Revision submitted 10 January 2011
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Chen
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Can-Qing Yu
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xun Tang
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Da-Fang Chen
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Tian
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Cao
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Yi Fan
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Hua Cao
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Yan Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Lv
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Guo
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Hua Hu
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, PR China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Ely D, Underwood A, Dunphy G, Boehme S, Turner M, Milsted A. Review of the Y chromosome, Sry and hypertension. Steroids 2010; 75:747-53. [PMID: 19914267 PMCID: PMC2891862 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2009.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Revised: 10/26/2009] [Accepted: 10/27/2009] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The following review examines the role of the SHR Y chromosome and specifically the Sry gene complex in hypertension and potential mechanisms that involve the sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system. There are consistent gender differences in hypertension, with a greater proportion of males affected than females in most mammalian populations. Our earlier studies demonstrated that a portion of the gender differences in blood pressure (BP) in the SHR rat mapped to the SHR Y chromosome. In rats, males with the SHR Y chromosome have higher BP than females, or males with a different Y chromosome. Consistent with these results, several human population studies have confirmed a Y chromosome effect on BP. Our more recent studies focus on a transcription factor, Sry, as the locus involved in not only BP modulation but effects on other phenotypes. The Sry locus is an evolutionarily conserved locus on the mammalian Y chromosome responsible for testis determination and is a transcription factor. The Sry locus contains a highly conserved High Mobility Group (HMG) box region responsible for DNA binding. Mutations in the HMG box result in sex reversal. We have found multiple functional copies of Sry in SHR and WKY male rats. There is abundant evidence that testes determination may not be Sry's only function as it is expressed in the brain, kidney and adrenal gland of adult males. These findings have potential implications for gender physiology research which involves, the sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin system, androgen receptor regulation and prostate physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ely
- Department of Biology, University of Akron, 185 S Mill St., Akron, OH 44325-3908, United States.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|