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Zhao J, Wang Q, Tan AF, Loh CJL, Toh HC. Sex differences in cancer and immunotherapy outcomes: the role of androgen receptor. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1416941. [PMID: 38863718 PMCID: PMC11165033 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1416941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Across the wide range of clinical conditions, there exists a sex imbalance where biological females are more prone to autoimmune diseases and males to some cancers. These discrepancies are the combinatory consequence of lifestyle and environmental factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and oncogenic viruses, as well as other intrinsic biological traits including sex chromosomes and sex hormones. While the emergence of immuno-oncology (I/O) has revolutionised cancer care, the efficacy across multiple cancers may be limited because of a complex, dynamic interplay between the tumour and its microenvironment (TME). Indeed, sex and gender can also influence the varying effectiveness of I/O. Androgen receptor (AR) plays an important role in tumorigenesis and in shaping the TME. Here, we lay out the epidemiological context of sex disparity in cancer and then review the current literature on how AR signalling contributes to such observation via altered tumour development and immunology. We offer insights into AR-mediated immunosuppressive mechanisms, with the hope of translating preclinical and clinical evidence in gender oncology into improved outcomes in personalised, I/O-based cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhe Zhao
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Qian Wang
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medical Oncology Cancer Hospital of China Medical University/Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | | | - Celestine Jia Ling Loh
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Sengkang General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Han Chong Toh
- Division of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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2
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Chen H, Ren W, Yang X, Hu P, Wang S, Xu C, Lv F, Zhao Y, Yin Q, Zheng W, Xu J, Pan H. Development and validation of a noninvasive prediction model for significant hepatic liver fibrosis in Chinese patients with autoimmune hepatitis. Ann Hepatol 2024; 29:101287. [PMID: 38266674 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2024.101287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a prevalent noninfectious liver disease. However, there is currently a lack of noninvasive tests appropriate for evaluating liver fibrosis in AIH patients. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a predictive model for noninvasive assessment of significant liver fibrosis (S ≥ 2) in patients to provide a reliable method for evaluating liver fibrosis in individuals with AIH. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical data of 374 AIH patients were analyzed. A prediction model was established through logistic regression in the training set, and bootstrap method was used to validate the models internally. In addition, the clinical data of 109 AIH patients were collected for external verification of the model.The model was expressed as a nomogram, and area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction model. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, platelet count (PLT), and the A/G ratio were identified as independent risk factors for liver fibrosis in AIH patients (P < 0.05). The diagnostic model that was composed of age, PLT and A/G was superior to APRI and FIB-4 in both the internal validation (0.872, 95%CI: 0.819-0.924) and external validation (0.829, 95%CI: 0.753-0.904). CONCLUSIONS Our predictive model can predict significant liver fibrosis in AIH patients more accurately, simply, and noninvasively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanzhu Chen
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, PR China; Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China
| | - Wenya Ren
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310053, PR China; Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China
| | - Xingdi Yang
- Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China
| | - Piao Hu
- The First People's Hospital of Xiaoshan District, Xiaoshan First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Hangzhou 311200 Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Shouhao Wang
- Hepatology Diagnosis and Treatment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University & Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Liver Diseases, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325035, PR China
| | - Chengan Xu
- Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China
| | - Fei Lv
- Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China
| | - Qiaoqiao Yin
- Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China
| | - Jing Xu
- Hepatology Department II, Affiliated Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310023, PR China.
| | - Hongying Pan
- Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, PR China.
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3
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Floreani A, Gabbia D, De Martin S. Are Gender Differences Important for Autoimmune Liver Diseases? Life (Basel) 2024; 14:500. [PMID: 38672770 PMCID: PMC11050899 DOI: 10.3390/life14040500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Gender Medicine has had an enormous expansion over the last ten years. Autoimmune liver diseases include several conditions, i.e., autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and conditions involving the liver or biliary tree overlapping with AIH, as well as IgG4-related disease. However, little is known about the impact of sex in the pathogenesis and natural history of these conditions. The purpose of this review is to provide an update of the gender disparities among the autoimmune liver diseases by reviewing the data published from 1999 to 2023. The epidemiology of these diseases has been changing over the last years, due to the amelioration of knowledge in their diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment. The clinical data collected so far support the existence of sex differences in the natural history of autoimmune liver diseases. Notably, their history could be longer than that which is now known, with problems being initiated even at a pediatric age. Moreover, gender disparity has been observed during the onset of complications related to end-stage liver disease, including cancer incidence. However, there is still an important debate among researchers about the impact of sex and the pathogenesis of these conditions. With this review, we would like to emphasize the urgency of basic science and clinical research to increase our understanding of the sex differences in autoimmune liver diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annarosa Floreani
- Scientific Consultant IRCCS Negrar, 37024 Verona, Italy
- University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
| | - Daniela Gabbia
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
| | - Sara De Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy; (D.G.); (S.D.M.)
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4
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Ma D, Ma J, Zhao C, Tai W. Reasons why women are more likely to develop primary biliary cholangitis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25634. [PMID: 38384574 PMCID: PMC10878884 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25634] [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: 10/28/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune disease of biliary stasis in which immune factors cause the gradual destruction of small bile ducts, biliary stasis, and eventually the development of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver failure. One of the main characteristics of PBC is that it primarily affects middle-aged women, but the precise cause is still unknown. This article analyzes the unique causes and mechanisms of the female predominance of PBC and summarizes the potential causes.The female domination of PBC is reported to be primarily caused by sex hormones, environmental circumstances, and epigenetic changes, each of which has a different subtle impact on patients' gender disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Ma
- Clinical Laboratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jiaxuan Ma
- Clinical Laboratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Chunmei Zhao
- Clinical Laboratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wenlin Tai
- Clinical Laboratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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5
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Kolli V, Frucci E, da Cunha IW, Iben JR, Kim SA, Mallappa A, Li T, Faucz FR, Kebebew E, Nilubol N, Quezado MM, Merke DP. Evidence of the Role of Inflammation and the Hormonal Environment in the Pathogenesis of Adrenal Myelolipomas in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2543. [PMID: 38473790 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Adrenal myelolipomas (AML) are composed of mature adipose and hematopoietic components. They represent approximately 3 percent of adrenal tumors and are commonly found in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). CAH provides a unique environment to explore AML pathogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the role of the immune system and hormones that accumulate in poorly controlled CAH in the development of AML. When compared to normal adrenal tissue, CAH-affected adrenal tissue and myelolipomas showed an increased expression of inflammatory cells (CD68, IL2Rbeta), stem cells (CD117) B cells (IRF4), and adipogenic markers (aP2/FABP4, AdipoQ, PPARγ, Leptin, CideA), and immunostaining showed nodular lymphocytic accumulation. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed a higher density of inflammatory cells (CD20, CD3, CD68) in CAH compared to non-CAH myelolipomas. In vitro RNA-sequencing studies using NCI-H295R adrenocortical cells with exogenous exposure to ACTH, testosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone hormones, showed the differential expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression, phosphorylation, and tumorigenesis. Migration of B-lymphocytes was initiated after the hormonal treatment of adrenocortical cells using the Boyden chamber chemotaxis assay, indicating a possible hormonal influence on triggering inflammation and the development of myelolipomas. These findings demonstrate the important role of inflammation and the hormonal milieu in the development of AML in CAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipula Kolli
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Emily Frucci
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Isabela Werneck da Cunha
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), São Paulo 05403, Brazil
| | - James R Iben
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sun A Kim
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ashwini Mallappa
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tianwei Li
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Fabio Rueda Faucz
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Electron Kebebew
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | | | - Martha M Quezado
- Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Deborah P Merke
- National Institutes of Health Clinical Center, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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6
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Cho HR, Lee GK, Lee JY. Increased Risk of Optic Neuritis in Patients With Fibromyalgia: Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in South Korea. Am J Ophthalmol 2024; 257:76-83. [PMID: 37634609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To estimate the risk of incidence of optic neuritis and identify the high-risk group among patients with fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN Population-based cohort study. METHODS A nationwide, population-based study was conducted using data from the Korean National Health Claims database from 2012 to 2021. This study included all the patients with FM from the entire South Korean population aged 20-79 years (FM group). Moreover, those with pain but not diagnosed with FM were considered as the non-FM group. A cohort was established by classifying it into the FM and non-FM groups during the recruitment period. A log-rank analysis was used to compare the risk of optic neuritis incidence between the FM group and non-FM group. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (HR). The cohort was analyzed by stratifying according to age and sex. RESULTS The FM and non-FM groups included 479,892 and 479,892 participants, respectively. The incidence rate of optic neuritis was 35.65/100,000 person-years in the FM group; the HR was significantly higher in the FM group than in the non-FM group (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.84-2.41; P < .001). The mean interval between the onset of FM and incident optic neuritis was 2.4 ± 1.8 years. The risk increased significantly in men aged 60-79 years (HR 3.37, 95% CI 2.54-4.48) and in women aged 20-39 years (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.38-3.22). CONCLUSION We quantified the risk of optic neuritis through a long-term follow-up, which could contribute to understanding the pathophysiology and estimating the general health care burden associated with FM in a practical setting. Great attention should be paid to its risk in older men and younger women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Rae Cho
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine (H.R.C., G.K.L.), Goyang
| | - Geung Kyu Lee
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Myongji hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine (H.R.C., G.K.L.), Goyang
| | - Ju-Yeun Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Myongji hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine (J.-Y.L.), Goyang; Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine (J.-Y.L.), Seoul; Integrated Major in Innovative Medical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine (J.-Y.L.), Seoul, South Korea.
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7
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Cooper KM, Delk M, Devuni D, Sarkar M. Sex differences in chronic liver disease and benign liver lesions. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100870. [PMID: 37791378 PMCID: PMC10542645 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidemiology, natural history, and therapeutic responses of chronic liver diseases and liver lesions often vary by sex. In this review, we summarize available clinical and translational data on these aspects of the most common liver conditions encountered in clinical practice, including the potential contributions of sex hormones to the underlying pathophysiology of observed differences. We also highlight areas of notable knowledge gaps and discuss sex disparities in access to liver transplant and potential strategies to address these barriers. Given established sex differences in immune response, drug metabolism, and response to liver-related therapies, emerging clinical trials and epidemiological studies should prioritize dedicated analyses by sex to inform sex-specific approaches to liver-related care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M. Cooper
- UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Molly Delk
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Deepika Devuni
- UMass Chan Medical School, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Monika Sarkar
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology/Hepatology, San Francisco, CA, United States
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8
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Mika J, Yoshida K, Kusunoki Y, Candéias SM, Polanska J. Sex- and age-specific aspects of human peripheral T-cell dynamics. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1224304. [PMID: 37901211 PMCID: PMC10613070 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1224304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The diversity of the antigenic T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire clonally expressed on T lymphocytes is a key element of the adaptive immune system protective functions. A decline in diversity in the older adults is associated with health deterioration. This diversity is generated by the rearrangement of TRB genes coding for TCR chains during lymphocyte differentiation in the thymus, but is essentially maintained by peripheral T lymphocytes proliferation for most of life. Deep sequencing of rearranged TRB genes from blood cells allows the monitoring of peripheral T cell repertoire dynamics. We analysed two aspects of rearranged TRB diversity, related to T lymphocyte proliferation and to the distribution of the T cell clone size, in a collection of repertoires obtained from 1 to 74 years-old donors. Results Our results show that peripheral T lymphocytes expansion differs according to the recombination status of their TRB loci. Their proliferation rate changes with age, with different patterns in men and women. T cell clone size becomes more heterogeneous with time, and, in adults, is always more even in women. Importantly, a longitudinal analysis of TRB repertoires obtained at ten years intervals from individual men and women confirms the findings of this cross-sectional study. Conclusions Peripheral T lymphocyte proliferation partially depends on their thymic developmental history. The rate of proliferation of T cells differing in their TRB rearrangement status is different in men and women before the age of 18 years old, but similar thereafter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Mika
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Kengo Yoshida
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Kusunoki
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Serge M. Candéias
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble (IRIG), Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Metals (LCBM), Grenoble, France
| | - Joanna Polanska
- Department of Data Science and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland
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Kempińska-Podhorodecka A, Abramczyk J, Cielica E, Huła B, Maciejowska H, Banales J, Milkiewicz P, Milkiewicz M. Effect of Low Testosterone Levels on the Expression of Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha in Female Patients with Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Cells 2023; 12:2273. [PMID: 37759496 PMCID: PMC10526765 DOI: 10.3390/cells12182273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex-dependent patterns in chronic immune-mediated cholangiopathies, like primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), remain poorly understood. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), expressed in immune cells, plays a key role in innate defence. In this study, the relationship between PPAR-α expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), serum androgen levels, IFNγ production, and sex-dependent tendencies during the development of PBC and PSC was investigated. We confirmed that normal cholangiocytes respond to PPAR-α and inhibit the lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of IL-6, IL-1b, and TNFα. Compared with PSC patients, PPAR-α was downregulated, while IFNγ was upregulated, in the PBMCs of PBC patients. When the analysis was conducted on females only, there was no difference in PPAR-α, but IFNγ was elevated in females with PBC compared with those with PSC. Serum testosterone concentrations in females with PBC were below the normal range (regardless of age) and correlated positively with PPAR-α and negatively with IFNγ. While PPAR-α has been reported to be a target of miR-155 and miR-21, no correlations with these microRNAs were observed in the PBMCs. However, a positive correlation between miR-21 and IFNγ was observed. Our results showed suppressed PPAR-α expression accompanied by reduced testosterone levels in women with PBC, which should elicit interest in the role of testosterone in PBC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Kempińska-Podhorodecka
- Department of Medical Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (B.H.); (H.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Joanna Abramczyk
- Department of Medical Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (B.H.); (H.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Eliza Cielica
- Department of Medical Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (B.H.); (H.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Bartosz Huła
- Department of Medical Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (B.H.); (H.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Hanna Maciejowska
- Department of Medical Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (B.H.); (H.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Jesus Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERehd, Ikerbasque, 20014 San Sebastian, Spain;
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Science, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Piotr Milkiewicz
- Liver and Internal Medicine Unit, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Milkiewicz
- Department of Medical Biology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (A.K.-P.); (J.A.); (E.C.); (B.H.); (H.M.); (M.M.)
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10
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Baines KJ, West RC. Sex differences in innate and adaptive immunity impact fetal, placental, and maternal health†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:256-270. [PMID: 37418168 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The differences between males and females begin shortly after birth, continue throughout prenatal development, and eventually extend into childhood and adult life. Male embryos and fetuses prioritize proliferation and growth, often at the expense of the fetoplacental energy reserves. This singular focus on growth over adaptability leaves male fetuses and neonates vulnerable to adverse outcomes during pregnancy and birth and can have lasting impacts throughout life. Beyond this prioritization of growth, male placentas and fetuses also respond to infection and inflammation differently than female counterparts. Pregnancies carrying female fetuses have a more regulatory immune response, whereas pregnancies carrying male fetuses have a stronger inflammatory response. These differences can be seen as early as the innate immune response with differences in cytokine and chemokine signaling. The sexual dimorphism in immunity then continues into the adaptive immune response with differences in T-cell biology and antibody production and transfer. As it appears that these sex-specific differences are amplified in pathologic pregnancies, it stands to reason that differences in the placental, fetal, and maternal immune responses in pregnancy contribute to increased male perinatal morbidity and mortality. In this review, we will describe the genetic and hormonal contributions to the sexual dimorphism of fetal and placental immunity. We will also discuss current research efforts to describe the sex-specific differences of the maternal-fetal interface and how it impacts fetal and maternal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J Baines
- Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Rachel C West
- Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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11
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Masenga SK, Mweene BC, Luwaya E, Muchaili L, Chona M, Kirabo A. HIV-Host Cell Interactions. Cells 2023; 12:1351. [PMID: 37408185 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) was a great milestone in the management of HIV infection. ARVs suppress viral activity in the host cell, thus minimizing injury to the cells and prolonging life. However, an effective treatment has remained elusive for four decades due to the successful immune evasion mechanisms of the virus. A thorough understanding of the molecular interaction of HIV with the host cell is essential in the development of both preventive and curative therapies for HIV infection. This review highlights several inherent mechanisms of HIV that promote its survival and propagation, such as the targeting of CD4+ lymphocytes, the downregulation of MHC class I and II, antigenic variation and an envelope complex that minimizes antibody access, and how they collaboratively render the immune system unable to mount an effective response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepiso K Masenga
- HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone Campus, Livingstone 10101, Zambia
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Nashville, TN 37232-6602, USA
| | - Bislom C Mweene
- HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone Campus, Livingstone 10101, Zambia
| | - Emmanuel Luwaya
- HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone Campus, Livingstone 10101, Zambia
| | - Lweendo Muchaili
- HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone Campus, Livingstone 10101, Zambia
| | - Makondo Chona
- HAND Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Livingstone Campus, Livingstone 10101, Zambia
| | - Annet Kirabo
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Room 536 Robinson Research Building, Nashville, TN 37232-6602, USA
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Sciarra F, Campolo F, Franceschini E, Carlomagno F, Venneri M. Gender-Specific Impact of Sex Hormones on the Immune System. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076302. [PMID: 37047274 PMCID: PMC10094624 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones are key determinants of gender-related differences and regulate growth and development during puberty. They also exert a broad range modulation of immune cell functions, and a dichotomy exists in the immune response between the sexes. Both clinical and animal models have demonstrated that androgens, estrogens, and progestogens mediate many of the gender-specific differences in immune responses, from the susceptibility to infectious diseases to the prevalence of autoimmune disorders. Androgens and progestogens mainly promote immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory effects, whereas estrogens enhance humoral immunity both in men and in women. This study summarizes the available evidence regarding the physiological effects of sex hormones on human immune cell function and the underlying biological mechanisms, focusing on gender differences triggered by different amounts of androgens between males and females.
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13
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Ahmad A, Makhmutova Z, Cao W, Majaz S, Amin A, Xie Y. Androgen receptor, a possible anti-infective therapy target and a potent immune respondent in SARS-CoV-2 spike binding: a computational approach. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2023; 21:317-327. [PMID: 36757420 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2023.2179035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although androgen in gender disparity of COVID-19 has been implied, no direct link has been provided. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Here, we applied AlphaFold multimer, network and single cells database analyses to highlight specificity of Androgen receptor (AR) against spike receptor binding protein (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS LXXL motifs in spike RBD are essential for AR binding. RBD LXXA mutation complex with the AR depicting slightly reduced binding energy, as LXXLL motif usually mediates nuclear receptor binding to coregulators. Moreover, AR preferred to bind a LYRL motif in specificity and interaction interface, and showed reduced affinity against Omicron compared to other variants (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta). Importantly, RBD LYRL motif is a conserved antigenic epitope (9 residues) for T-cell response. Network analysis of AR-related genes against COVID-19 database showed T-cell signaling regulation, and CD8+ T-cell spatial location in AR+ single cells, which is consistent with the AR binding motif LYRL in epitope function. CONCLUSIONS We provided the potent mechanisms of AR binding to RBD linking to immune response and vaccination shift. AR could be an anti-infective therapy target for anti-Omicron new lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashfaq Ahmad
- Department of Bioinformatics, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Zhandaulet Makhmutova
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Wenwen Cao
- Respiratory Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Sidra Majaz
- Department of Bioinformatics, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Amr Amin
- Biology Department, UAE University, Al Ain, UAE
| | - Yingqiu Xie
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Humanities, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
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14
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Sim JH, Kim KW, Ko Y, Kwon HM, Moon YJ, Jun IG, Kim SH, Kim S, Song JG, Hwang GS. Association of sex-specific donor skeletal muscle index with surgical outcomes in living donor liver transplantation recipients. Liver Int 2023; 43:684-694. [PMID: 36377561 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent study reported a correlation between the muscle mass of male donors and graft failure in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. We investigated the association of sex-specific donor skeletal muscle index (SMI) with mortality and graft failure in LDLT recipients. METHODS We retrospectively analysed 2750 sets of donors and recipients between January 2008 and January 2018. The recipient outcomes were analysed by dividing the data according to donor sex. Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between donor SMI by sex and 1-year mortality and graft failure in recipients. RESULTS In the male donor group, robust donor (increased SMI) was significantly associated with higher risks for mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-1.06, p = .023) and graft failure (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, p = .007) at 1 year. In the female donor group, the robust donor was significantly associated with lower risks for mortality (HR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.97, p = .003) and graft failure (HR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.90-1.00, p = .032) at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS Donor SMI was associated with surgical outcomes in recipients. Robust male and female donors were a significant negative and protective factor for grafts respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hoon Sim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Won Kim
- Department of Radiology, Asan Image Metrics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - YouSun Ko
- Department of Radiology, Asan Image Metrics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hye-Mee Kwon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Jin Moon
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Gu Jun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Hoon Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seonok Kim
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Gol Song
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyu-Sam Hwang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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15
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Li X, Zhou Y, Yuan S, Zhou X, Wang L, Sun J, Yu L, Zhu J, Zhang H, Yang N, Dai S, Song P, Larsson SC, Theodoratou E, Zhu Y, Li X. Genetically predicted high IGF-1 levels showed protective effects on COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization: a Mendelian randomisation study with data from 60 studies across 25 countries. eLife 2022; 11:e79720. [PMID: 36250974 PMCID: PMC9576268 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemiological studies observed gender differences in COVID-19 outcomes, however, whether sex hormone plays a causal in COVID-19 risk remains unclear. This study aimed to examine associations of sex hormone, sex hormones-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and COVID-19 risk. Methods Two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) study was performed to explore the causal associations between testosterone, estrogen, SHBG, IGF-1, and the risk of COVID-19 (susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity) using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary level data from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative (N=1,348,701). Random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) MR approach was used as the primary MR method and the weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test were conducted as sensitivity analyses. Results Higher genetically predicted IGF-1 levels have nominally significant association with reduced risk of COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization. For one standard deviation increase in genetically predicted IGF-1 levels, the odds ratio was 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.97, p=0.027) for COVID-19 susceptibility, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.25-0.51, p=0.018) for COVID-19 hospitalization, and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.52-1.38, p=0.513) for COVID-19 severity. There was no evidence that testosterone, estrogen, and SHBG are associated with the risk of COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity in either overall or sex-stratified TSMR analysis. Conclusions Our study indicated that genetically predicted high IGF-1 levels were associated with decrease the risk of COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization, but these associations did not survive the Bonferroni correction of multiple testing. Further studies are needed to validate the findings and explore whether IGF-1 could be a potential intervention target to reduce COVID-19 risk. Funding We acknowledge support from NSFC (LR22H260001), CRUK (C31250/A22804), SHLF (Hjärt-Lungfonden, 20210351), VR (Vetenskapsrådet, 2019-00977), and SCI (Cancerfonden).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxuan Li
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Yajing Zhou
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Shuai Yuan
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Lijuan Wang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Lili Yu
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jinghan Zhu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Nan Yang
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Shuhui Dai
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Peige Song
- School of Public Health and Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Susanna C Larsson
- Unit of Cardiovascular and Nutritional Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
- Unit of Medical Epidemiology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Evropi Theodoratou
- Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Medical Research Council Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Yimin Zhu
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Big Data in Health Science School of Public Health, Center of Clinical Big Data and Analytics of The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
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16
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Liu C, Omilusik K, Toma C, Kurd NS, Chang JT, Goldrath AW, Wang W. Systems-level identification of key transcription factors in immune cell specification. PLoS Comput Biol 2022; 18:e1010116. [PMID: 36156073 PMCID: PMC9536753 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are crucial for regulating cell differentiation during the development of the immune system. However, the key TFs for orchestrating the specification of distinct immune cells are not fully understood. Here, we integrated the transcriptomic and epigenomic measurements in 73 mouse and 61 human primary cell types, respectively, that span the immune cell differentiation pathways. We constructed the cell-type-specific transcriptional regulatory network and assessed the global importance of TFs based on the Taiji framework, which is a method we have previously developed that can infer the global impact of TFs using integrated transcriptomic and epigenetic data. Integrative analysis across cell types revealed putative driver TFs in cell lineage-specific differentiation in both mouse and human systems. We have also identified TF combinations that play important roles in specific developmental stages. Furthermore, we validated the functions of predicted novel TFs in murine CD8+ T cell differentiation and showed the importance of Elf1 and Prdm9 in the effector versus memory T cell fate specification and Kdm2b and Tet3 in promoting differentiation of CD8+ tissue resident memory (Trm) cells, validating the approach. Thus, we have developed a bioinformatic approach that provides a global picture of the regulatory mechanisms that govern cellular differentiation in the immune system and aids the discovery of novel mechanisms in cell fate decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Kyla Omilusik
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Clara Toma
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Nadia S. Kurd
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John T. Chang
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ananda W. Goldrath
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Shahini E, Pasculli G, Mastropietro A, Stolfi P, Tieri P, Vergni D, Cozzolongo R, Pesce F, Giannelli G. Network Proximity-Based Drug Repurposing Strategy for Early and Late Stages of Primary Biliary Cholangitis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1694. [PMID: 35884999 PMCID: PMC9312896 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071694] [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: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, cholestatic, immune-mediated, and progressive liver disorder. Treatment to preventing the disease from advancing into later and irreversible stages is still an unmet clinical need. Accordingly, we set up a drug repurposing framework to find potential therapeutic agents targeting relevant pathways derived from an expanded pool of genes involved in different stages of PBC. Starting with updated human protein-protein interaction data and genes specifically involved in the early and late stages of PBC, a network medicine approach was used to provide a PBC "proximity" or "involvement" gene ranking using network diffusion algorithms and machine learning models. The top genes in the proximity ranking, when combined with the original PBC-related genes, resulted in a final dataset of the genes most involved in PBC disease. Finally, a drug repurposing strategy was implemented by mining and utilizing dedicated drug-gene interaction and druggable genome information knowledge bases (e.g., the DrugBank repository). We identified several potential drug candidates interacting with PBC pathways after performing an over-representation analysis on our initial 1121-seed gene list and the resulting disease-associated (algorithm-obtained) genes. The mechanism and potential therapeutic applications of such drugs were then thoroughly discussed, with a particular emphasis on different stages of PBC disease. We found that interleukin/EGFR/TNF-alpha inhibitors, branched-chain amino acids, geldanamycin, tauroursodeoxycholic acid, genistein, antioestrogens, curcumin, antineovascularisation agents, enzyme/protease inhibitors, and antirheumatic agents are promising drugs targeting distinct stages of PBC. We developed robust and transparent selection mechanisms for prioritizing already approved medicinal products or investigational products for repurposing based on recognized unmet medical needs in PBC, as well as solid preliminary data to achieve this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Endrit Shahini
- National Institute of Research IRCCS “Saverio De Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (R.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Pasculli
- Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering Antonio Ruberti (DIAG), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Mastropietro
- Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering Antonio Ruberti (DIAG), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy; (G.P.); (A.M.)
| | - Paola Stolfi
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Applied Computing (IAC), 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.S.); (P.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Paolo Tieri
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Applied Computing (IAC), 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.S.); (P.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Davide Vergni
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Applied Computing (IAC), 00185 Rome, Italy; (P.S.); (P.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Raffaele Cozzolongo
- National Institute of Research IRCCS “Saverio De Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (R.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Francesco Pesce
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, University of Bari “A. Moro”, 70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Research IRCCS “Saverio De Bellis”, Castellana Grotte, 70013 Bari, Italy; (R.C.); (G.G.)
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18
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Røyrvik EC, Husebye ES. The genetics of autoimmune Addison disease: past, present and future. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:399-412. [PMID: 35411072 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-022-00653-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune Addison disease is an endocrinopathy that is fatal if not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Its rarity has hampered unbiased studies of the predisposing genetic factors. A 2021 genome-wide association study, explaining up to 40% of the genetic susceptibility, has revealed new disease loci and reproduced some of the previously reported associations, while failing to reproduce others. Credible risk loci from both candidate gene and genome-wide studies indicate that, like one of its most common comorbidities, type 1 diabetes mellitus, Addison disease is primarily caused by aberrant T cell behaviour. Here, we review the current understanding of the genetics of autoimmune Addison disease and its position in the wider field of autoimmune disorders. The mechanisms that could underlie the effects on the adrenal cortex are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C Røyrvik
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Eystein S Husebye
- Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Autoimmune Diseases, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
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19
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Crespi B, Yang N. Three laws of teleonometrics. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blac068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We define teleonometrics as the theoretical and empirical study of teleonomy. We propose three laws for teleonometrics. The first law describes the hierarchical organization of teleonomic functions across biological levels from genes to individuals. According to this law, the number of goal-directed functions increases from individuals (one goal, maximizing inclusive fitness) to intermediate levels and to genes and alleles (myriad time-, space- and context-dependent goals, depending upon degrees and patterns of pleiotropy). The second law describes the operation of teleonomic functions under trade-offs, coadaptations and negative and positive pleiotropies, which are universal in biological systems. According to this law, the functions of an allele, gene or trait are described and defined by patterns of antagonistic (trading off) and compatible (coadapted) functions. The third law of teleonometrics is that the major transitions in evolution are driven by the origins of novel, emergent goals associated with functional changes and by the breaking and reshaping of trade-offs, especially by mechanisms involving increases in resources or time, and new divisions of labour or function. We illustrate the application of these laws using data from three empirical vignettes, which help to show the usefulness of teleonometric viewpoints for understanding the interfaces between function, trade-offs and dysfunctions manifest as disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University , Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6 , Canada
| | - Nancy Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University , Burnaby, British Columbia, V5A 1S6 , Canada
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20
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Ho JQ, Sepand MR, Bigdelou B, Shekarian T, Esfandyarpour R, Chauhan P, Serpooshan V, Beura LK, Hutter G, Zanganeh S. The immune response to COVID-19: Does sex matter? Immunology 2022; 166:429-443. [PMID: 35470422 PMCID: PMC9111683 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges worldwide. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) causes COVID‐19 and has a complex interaction with the immune system, including growing evidence of sex‐specific differences in the immune response. Sex‐disaggregated analyses of epidemiological data indicate that males experience more severe symptoms and suffer higher mortality from COVID‐19 than females. Many behavioural risk factors and biological factors may contribute to the different immune response. This review examines the immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in the context of sex, with emphasis on potential biological mechanisms explaining differences in clinical outcomes. Understanding sex differences in the pathophysiology of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection will help promote the development of specific strategies to manage the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jim Q Ho
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, United States
| | - Mohammad Reza Sepand
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Banafsheh Bigdelou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Tala Shekarian
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rahim Esfandyarpour
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, United States
| | - Prashant Chauhan
- Laboratory of Functional Biology of Protists, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Vahid Serpooshan
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Emory University School of Medicine and Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
| | - Lalit K Beura
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Gregor Hutter
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Steven Zanganeh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, Massachusetts, United States
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21
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Akhil S, Sharma KSK, Kumar D. Male systemic lupus erythematosus: Two distinct presentations. J Family Med Prim Care 2021; 10:3910-3912. [PMID: 34934702 PMCID: PMC8653451 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_37_21] [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: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) multisystem autoimmune disease is characterised by a series of exacerbations and remissions. Tissues of multiple-organ systems are affected by autoantibodies. We report here two cases of SLE in male patients. Being rarer in males, diagnosis is often delayed and associated with poorer outcomes. An alert primary care physician can be instrumental in early diagnosis and ensuring better outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugandhi Akhil
- Department of General Medicine, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
| | - K Sai Kanth Sharma
- Department of General Medicine, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
| | - Dharmender Kumar
- Department of General Medicine, Tata Main Hospital, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
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22
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Lutz CT, Livas L, Presnell SR, Sexton M, Wang P. Gender Differences in Urothelial Bladder Cancer: Effects of Natural Killer Lymphocyte Immunity. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10215163. [PMID: 34768683 PMCID: PMC8584838 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10215163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Men are more likely to develop cancer than women. In fact, male predominance is one of the most consistent cancer epidemiology findings. Additionally, men have a poorer prognosis and an increased risk of secondary malignancies compared to women. These differences have been investigated in order to better understand cancer and to better treat both men and women. In this review, we discuss factors that may cause this gender difference, focusing on urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) pathogenesis. We consider physiological factors that may cause higher male cancer rates, including differences in X chromosome gene expression. We discuss how androgens may promote bladder cancer development directly by stimulating bladder urothelium and indirectly by suppressing immunity. We are particularly interested in the role of natural killer (NK) cells in anti-cancer immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles T. Lutz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (L.L.); (S.R.P.); (M.S.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Lydia Livas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (L.L.); (S.R.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Steven R. Presnell
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (L.L.); (S.R.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Morgan Sexton
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA; (L.L.); (S.R.P.); (M.S.)
| | - Peng Wang
- Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA;
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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Stülb H, Bachmann M, Gonther S, Mühl H. Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury Exposes Murine IL-22 as Sex-Related Gene Product. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10623. [PMID: 34638962 PMCID: PMC8509061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaining detailed knowledge about sex-related immunoregulation remains a crucial prerequisite for the development of adequate disease models and therapeutic strategies enabling personalized medicine. Here, the key parameter of the production of cytokines mediating disease resolution was investigated. Among these cytokines, STAT3-activating interleukin (IL)-22 is principally associated with recovery from tissue injury. By investigating paradigmatic acetaminophen-induced liver injury, we demonstrated that IL-22 expression is enhanced in female mice. Increased female IL-22 was confirmed at a cellular level using murine splenocytes stimulated by lipopolysaccharide or αCD3/CD28 to model innate or adaptive immunoactivation. Interestingly, testosterone or dihydrotestosterone reduced IL-22 production by female but not by male splenocytes. Mechanistic studies on PMA/PHA-stimulated T-cell-lymphoma EL-4 cells verified the capability of testosterone/dihydrotestosterone to reduce IL-22 production. Moreover, we demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation that testosterone impairs binding of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor to xenobiotic responsive elements within the murine IL-22 promoter. Overall, female mice undergoing acute liver injury and cultured female splenocytes upon inflammatory activation display increased IL-22. This observation is likely related to the immunosuppressive effects of androgens in males. The data presented concur with more pronounced immunological alertness demonstrable in females, which may relate to the sex-specific course of some immunological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Heiko Mühl
- Pharmazentrum Frankfurt/ZAFES, Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; (H.S.); (M.B.); (S.G.)
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24
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Banyeh M, Amidu N, Quaye L. The relationship between 2D:4D ratio and postpartum adult female variables in a Ghanaian population. Am J Hum Biol 2021; 34:e23680. [PMID: 34523769 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Postpartum hematological and anthropometric assessment is a requirement for optimal maternal and child health. The study aimed to determine the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and postpartum hematological and anthropometric variables in adult females. METHODS The study was cross-sectional from December 2020 to April 2021 involving 272 postpartum adult females, aged between 18 and 36 years. The right (2D:4DR) and the left (2D:4DL) digit ratios were measured using computer-assisted analysis. Fasting venous samples were collected at a median (interquartile range) of 111 (44-210) days postpartum and analyzed for total testosterone (TT), estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, and complete blood count. RESULTS The mean ± standard deviation 2D:4DR and 2D:4DL were 0.94 ± 0.04 and 0.93 ± 0.04, respectively. As expected, the TT (r = -0.198, p = .015) and the free androgen index (FAI: r = -0.186, p = .019) were inversely correlated with the 2D:4DL while free testosterone (FT%: r = -0.157, p = .038) was inversely correlated with the 2D:4DR. The absolute basophile count (BASO: r = -0.124, p = .040) and the Platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR: r = -0.153, p = .016) were inversely correlated with the 2D:4DL and the 2D:4DR respectively. In addition, the mean cell volume was inversely correlated with the 2D:4DR (r = -0.139, p = .024) and the 2D:4DL (r = -0.122, p = .045). Moreover, the 2D:4DR was inversely correlated with height (r = -0.164, p = .007). Unexpectedly, the red blood cell count (RBC: r = 0.138, p = .025) was positively correlated with the 2D:4DR. CONCLUSION There are significant relationships between the 2D:4D ratio and postpartum female variables. These findings are useful preliminary reference data for postpartum research and subsequent 2D:4D ratio studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moses Banyeh
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Nafiu Amidu
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
| | - Lawrence Quaye
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
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25
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Mapping of de novo mutations in primary biliary cholangitis to a disease-specific co-expression network underlying homeostasis and metabolism. J Genet Genomics 2021; 49:145-154. [PMID: 34433101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an autoimmune disease involving dysregulation of a broad array of homeostatic and metabolic processes. Although considerable single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been unveiled, a large fraction of risk factors remains enigmatic. Candidate genes with rare mutations that tend to confer more deleterious effects need to be identified. To help pinpoint cellular and developmental mechanisms beyond common noncoding variants, we integrated whole exome sequencing with integrative network analysis to investigate genes harboring de novo mutations. Prominent convergence has been revealed on a network of disease-specific co-expression comprised of 55 genes associated with homeostasis and metabolism. The transcription factor MEF2D and the DNA repair gene PARP2 were highlighted as hub genes and identified to be up- and down-regulated, respectively, in peripheral blood data set. Enrichment analysis demonstrated altered expression of MEF2D and PARP2 may trigger a series of molecular and cellular processes with pivotal roles in PBC pathophysiology. Our study identified genes with de novo mutations in PBC and suggested a subset of genes in homeostasis and metabolism tend to act in synergy through converging on co-expression network, providing novel insights into the etiology of PBC and expanding the pool of molecular candidates for discovering clinically actionable biomarkers.
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26
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John BV, Aitcheson G, Schwartz KB, Khakoo NS, Dahman B, Deng Y, Goldberg D, Martin P, Taddei TH, Levy C, Kaplan DE. Male Sex Is Associated With Higher Rates of Liver-Related Mortality in Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Cirrhosis. Hepatology 2021; 74:879-891. [PMID: 33636012 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The impact of sex on the postcirrhosis progression of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) has not been well defined. Prior studies have suggested that men have worse outcomes but present at more advanced stages of fibrosis than women. This observation, however, has been limited by small numbers of men and even fewer patients with cirrhosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS We investigated the association of sex with the development of all-cause and liver-related mortality or transplantation, decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), using competing-risk time-updating Cox proportional hazards models in a large cohort of predominantly male patients with PBC cirrhosis assembled from the Veterans Health Administration. In a cohort of 532 participants (418 male) with PBC-related cirrhosis with a total follow-up of 3,231.6 person-years (PY) from diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis, male participants had a higher unadjusted rates of death or transplantation (8.5 vs. 3.8 per 100 PY; P < 0.0001), liver-related death or transplantation (5.5 vs. 2.7 per 100 PY; P < 0.0001), decompensation (5.5 vs. 4.0 per 100 PY; P = 0.002), and HCC (0.9 vs. 0.3 per 100 PY; P < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounders, male sex was associated with a higher risk of death or transplantation (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.01-3.19; P = 0.046), and liver-related death or transplantation (subhazard ratio, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.15-4.08; P = 0.02). A sensitivity analysis that defined ursodeoxycholic acid response as normalization of alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin revealed similar findings. CONCLUSIONS In patients with PBC and well-compensated cirrhosis, male sex is associated with a higher risk of both death and liver-related death or transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binu V John
- Division of HepatologyBruce W Carter VA Medical CenterMiamiFLUSA
| | | | - Kaley B Schwartz
- Division of HepatologyBruce W Carter VA Medical CenterMiamiFLUSA
| | - Nidah S Khakoo
- Department of MedicineJackson Memorial HospitalMiamiFLUSA
| | - Bassam Dahman
- Department of Health Behavior and PolicyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | - Yangyang Deng
- Department of Health Behavior and PolicyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVAUSA
| | - David Goldberg
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver DiseasesUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineMiamiFLUSA
| | - Paul Martin
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver DiseasesUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineMiamiFLUSA
| | - Tamar H Taddei
- Section of Digestive DiseasesYale School of MedicineNew HavenCTUSA.,Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyVA Connecticut Healthcare SystemWest HavenCTUSA
| | - Cynthia Levy
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver DiseasesUniversity of Miami Miller School of MedicineMiamiFLUSA
| | - David E Kaplan
- Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA.,Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyCorporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical CenterPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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27
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Wawrzkiewicz-Jałowiecka A, Lalik A, Soveral G. Recent Update on the Molecular Mechanisms of Gonadal Steroids Action in Adipose Tissue. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5226. [PMID: 34069293 PMCID: PMC8157194 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The gonadal steroids, including androgens, estrogens and progestogens, are involved in the control of body fat distribution in humans. Nevertheless, not only the size and localization of the fat depots depend on the sex steroids levels, but they can also highly affect the functioning of adipose tissue. Namely, the gonadocorticoids can directly influence insulin signaling, lipid metabolism, fatty acid uptake and adipokine production. They may also alter energy balance and glucose homeostasis in adipocytes in an indirect way, e.g., by changing the expression level of aquaglyceroporins. This work presents the recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanism of how the gonadal steroids influence the functioning of adipose tissue leading to a set of detrimental metabolic consequences. Special attention is given here to highlighting the sexual dimorphism of adipocyte functioning in terms of health and disease. Particularly, we discuss the molecular background of metabolic disturbances occurring in consequence of hormonal imbalance which is characteristic of some common endocrinopathies such as the polycystic ovary syndrome. From this perspective, we highlight the potential drug targets and the active substances which can be used in personalized sex-specific management of metabolic diseases, in accord with the patient's hormonal status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Wawrzkiewicz-Jałowiecka
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Technology of Polymers, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Anna Lalik
- Department of Systems Biology and Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 16, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland;
- Biotechnology Center, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 8, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Graça Soveral
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal;
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28
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Bachmann MC, Bellalta S, Basoalto R, Gómez-Valenzuela F, Jalil Y, Lépez M, Matamoros A, von Bernhardi R. The Challenge by Multiple Environmental and Biological Factors Induce Inflammation in Aging: Their Role in the Promotion of Chronic Disease. Front Immunol 2020; 11:570083. [PMID: 33162985 PMCID: PMC7591463 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.570083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aging process is driven by multiple mechanisms that lead to changes in energy production, oxidative stress, homeostatic dysregulation and eventually to loss of functionality and increased disease susceptibility. Most aged individuals develop chronic low-grade inflammation, which is an important risk factor for morbidity, physical and cognitive impairment, frailty, and death. At any age, chronic inflammatory diseases are major causes of morbimortality, affecting up to 5-8% of the population of industrialized countries. Several environmental factors can play an important role for modifying the inflammatory state. Genetics accounts for only a small fraction of chronic-inflammatory diseases, whereas environmental factors appear to participate, either with a causative or a promotional role in 50% to 75% of patients. Several of those changes depend on epigenetic changes that will further modify the individual response to additional stimuli. The interaction between inflammation and the environment offers important insights on aging and health. These conditions, often depending on the individual's sex, appear to lead to decreased longevity and physical and cognitive decline. In addition to biological factors, the environment is also involved in the generation of psychological and social context leading to stress. Poor psychological environments and other sources of stress also result in increased inflammation. However, the mechanisms underlying the role of environmental and psychosocial factors and nutrition on the regulation of inflammation, and how the response elicited for those factors interact among them, are poorly understood. Whereas certain deleterious environmental factors result in the generation of oxidative stress driven by an increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and inflammation, other factors, including nutrition (polyunsaturated fatty acids) and behavioral factors (exercise) confer protection against inflammation, oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress, and thus ameliorate their deleterious effect. Here, we discuss processes and mechanisms of inflammation associated with environmental factors and behavior, their links to sex and gender, and their overall impact on aging.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sofía Bellalta
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roque Basoalto
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Yorschua Jalil
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Macarena Lépez
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Anibal Matamoros
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Federal University of Pará, Belem, Brazil
| | - Rommy von Bernhardi
- School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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