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Rio P, Caldarelli M, Chiantore M, Ocarino F, Candelli M, Gasbarrini A, Gambassi G, Cianci R. Immune Cells, Gut Microbiota, and Vaccines: A Gender Perspective. Cells 2024; 13:526. [PMID: 38534370 DOI: 10.3390/cells13060526] [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: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines has played a crucial role in preventing infections and treating chronic and non-communicable diseases, respectively. For a long time, the influence of sex differences on modifying health and disease has not been addressed in clinical and preclinical studies. The interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and hormonal factors plays a role in the sex-related differences in the epidemiology of diseases, clinical manifestations, and the response to treatment. Moreover, sex is one of the leading factors influencing the gut microbiota composition, which could further explain the different predisposition to diseases in men and women. In the same way, differences between sexes occur also in the immune response to vaccines. This narrative review aims to highlight these differences, focusing on the immune response to vaccines. Comparative data about immune responses, vaccine effectiveness, and side effects are reviewed. Hence, the intricate interplay between sex, immunity, and the gut microbiota will be discussed for its potential role in the response to vaccination. Embracing a sex-oriented perspective in research may improve the efficacy of the immune response and allow the design of tailored vaccine schedules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierluigi Rio
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Caldarelli
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Chiantore
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ocarino
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Candelli
- Department of Emergency, Anesthesiological and Reanimation Sciences, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gasbarrini
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Gambassi
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Cianci
- Department of Translational Medicine and Surgery, Catholic University of Rome, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Anticoli S, Dorrucci M, Iessi E, Chiarotti F, Di Prinzio RR, Vinci MR, Zaffina S, Puro V, Colavita F, Mizzoni K, Meschi S, Vonesch N, Albano C, Ortona E, Ruggieri A, Tomao P. Association between sex hormones and anti-S/RBD antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccines in healthcare workers. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2273697. [PMID: 37961893 PMCID: PMC10760357 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2273697] [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: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are the target population for vaccination against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as they are at a high risk of exposure and transmission of pathogens to patients. Neutralizing antibodies developed after COVID-19 vaccination decline within few months of vaccination. Several factors, including age and sex, can affect the intensity, efficacy, and duration of immune response to vaccines. However, sex-specific analyses of humoral responses to COVID-19 vaccines are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate sex-based differences in anti-S/RBD (Receptor Binding Domain) responses at three different time points after the second dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in HCWs in relation to age, and to investigate the role of sex hormones as potential markers of response. Anti-S/RBD levels after two doses of the mRNA vaccine were collected from 521 HCWs naïve to COVID-19, working at two Italian Clinical Centers. Multiple regression analysis was applied to evaluate the association between anti-S levels and sex, age, and plasma levels of sex hormones. Significantly higher anti-S/RBD response to the COVID-19 vaccination was found in female HCWs, and a significant and more abrupt decline in response with time was observed in women than that in men. A novel, positive association of testosterone plasma levels and higher anti-S levels in male HCWs was found, suggesting its potential role as sex specific marker in males. In conclusion, understanding the sex-based differences in humoral immune responses to vaccines may potentially improve vaccination strategies and optimize surveillance programs for HCWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Anticoli
- Reference Center for Gender-specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità [Italian National Institute of Health], Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Dorrucci
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità [Italian National Institute of Health], Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Iessi
- Reference Center for Gender-specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità [Italian National Institute of Health], Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Chiarotti
- Reference Center for the Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, [Italian National Institute of Health], Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Rosaria Vinci
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Salvatore Zaffina
- Occupational Medicine Unit, IRCCS Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Puro
- UOC Emerging Infections and CRAIDS, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Colavita
- UOC Lab of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Klizia Mizzoni
- UOC Lab of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Meschi
- UOC Lab of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases L. Spallanzani IRCSS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Vonesch
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Albano
- B cell Lab, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Ortona
- Reference Center for Gender-specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità [Italian National Institute of Health], Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Ruggieri
- Reference Center for Gender-specific Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità [Italian National Institute of Health], Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Tomao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
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Brendle SA, Li JJ, Walter V, Schell TD, Kozak M, Balogh KK, Lu S, Christensen ND, Zhu Y, El-Bayoumy K, Hu J. Immune Responses in Oral Papillomavirus Clearance in the MmuPV1 Mouse Model. Pathogens 2023; 12:1452. [PMID: 38133335 PMCID: PMC10745854 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121452] [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] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced oropharyngeal cancer now exceeds HPV-induced cervical cancer, with a noticeable sex bias. Although it is well established that women have a more proficient immune system, it remains unclear whether immune control of oral papillomavirus infections differs between sexes. In the current study, we use genetically modified mice to target CCR2 and Stat1 pathways, with the aim of investigating the role of both innate and adaptive immune responses in clearing oral papillomavirus, using our established papillomavirus (MmuPV1) infection model. Persistent oral MmuPV1 infection was detected in Rag1ko mice with T and B cell deficiencies. Meanwhile, other tested mice were susceptible to MmuPV1 infections but were able to clear the virus. We found sex differences in key myeloid cells, including macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells in the infected tongues of wild type and Stat1ko mice but these differences were not observed in CCR2ko mice. Intriguingly, we also observed a sex difference in anti-MmuPV1 E4 antibody levels, especially for two IgG isotypes: IgG2b and IgG3. However, we found comparable numbers of interferon-gamma-producing CD8 T cells stimulated by E6 and E7 in both sexes. These findings suggest that males and females may use different components of innate and adaptive immune responses to control papillomavirus infections in the MmuPV1 mouse model. The observed sex difference in immune responses, especially in myeloid cells including dendritic cell (DC) subsets, may have potential diagnostic and prognostic values for HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A. Brendle
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, State College, PA 17033, USA; (S.A.B.); (J.J.L.); (M.K.); (K.K.B.); (N.D.C.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (S.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Jingwei J. Li
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, State College, PA 17033, USA; (S.A.B.); (J.J.L.); (M.K.); (K.K.B.); (N.D.C.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (S.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Vonn Walter
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (V.W.); (K.E.-B.)
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Todd D. Schell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Michael Kozak
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, State College, PA 17033, USA; (S.A.B.); (J.J.L.); (M.K.); (K.K.B.); (N.D.C.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (S.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Karla K. Balogh
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, State College, PA 17033, USA; (S.A.B.); (J.J.L.); (M.K.); (K.K.B.); (N.D.C.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (S.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Song Lu
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (S.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Neil D. Christensen
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, State College, PA 17033, USA; (S.A.B.); (J.J.L.); (M.K.); (K.K.B.); (N.D.C.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (S.L.); (Y.Z.)
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA;
| | - Yusheng Zhu
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (S.L.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Karam El-Bayoumy
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (V.W.); (K.E.-B.)
| | - Jiafen Hu
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, State College, PA 17033, USA; (S.A.B.); (J.J.L.); (M.K.); (K.K.B.); (N.D.C.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; (S.L.); (Y.Z.)
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Graham VA, Easterbrook L, Kennedy E, Rayner E, Findlay-Wilson S, Flett L, Wise EL, Treagus S, Fotheringham S, Kempster S, Almond N, Dowall S. Pathogenesis of Rift Valley Fever Virus in a BALB/c Mouse Model Is Affected by Virus Culture Conditions and Sex of the Animals. Viruses 2023; 15:2369. [PMID: 38140610 PMCID: PMC10747589 DOI: 10.3390/v15122369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic pathogen causing disease in livestock and humans. Whilst initially restricted to the African continent, recent spread to the Arabian Peninsula has highlighted the likelihood of entry into new regions. Due to the absence of a regulatory-approved human vaccine, work is ongoing to develop and assess countermeasures. As such, small animal models play a pivotal role in providing information on disease pathogenesis and elucidating which intervention strategies confer protection. To develop and establish the BALB/c mouse model, we challenged mice with RVFV grown from two separate cell lines: one derived from mosquitoes (C6/36) and the other mammalian derived (Vero E6). Following infection, we assessed the clinical course of disease progression at days 1 and 3 post-challenge and evaluated viral tropism and immune analytes. The results demonstrated that RVFV infection was affected by the cell line used to propagate the challenge virus, with those grown in insect cells resulting in a more rapid disease progression. The lowest dose that caused uniform severe disease remained the same across both virus preparations. In addition, to demonstrate reproducibility, the lowest dose was used for a subsequent infection study using male and female animals. The results further demonstrated that male mice succumbed to infection more rapidly than their female counterparts. Our results establish an RVFV mouse model and key parameters that affect the course of disease progression in BALB/c mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A. Graham
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Linda Easterbrook
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Emma Kennedy
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Emma Rayner
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Stephen Findlay-Wilson
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Lucy Flett
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Emma Louise Wise
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Samantha Treagus
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Susan Fotheringham
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
| | - Sarah Kempster
- Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Blanche Ln, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QG, UK; (S.K.); (N.A.)
| | - Neil Almond
- Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Blanche Ln, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QG, UK; (S.K.); (N.A.)
| | - Stuart Dowall
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (V.A.G.); (L.E.); (E.K.); (E.R.); (S.F.-W.); (L.F.); (E.L.W.); (S.T.); (S.F.)
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Gupta P, Sághy T, Nordqvist J, Nilsson J, Carlsten H, Horkeby K, Henning P, Engdahl C. Impact of estrogen on IgG glycosylation and serum protein glycosylation in a murine model of healthy postmenopause. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1243942. [PMID: 37766692 PMCID: PMC10519799 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1243942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The glycosylation of immunoglobulin (Ig) G regulates IgG interaction capability with Fc gamma receptors found in all immune cells. In pathogenic conditions, estrogen can impact IgG levels and glycosylation. Following menopause, when estrogen levels decline affecting the immune system and potentially leading to a heightened susceptibility of immune activation. Purpose In this study, we aim to determine if estrogen levels can regulate IgG glycosylation in postmenopausal healthy situations. Methods Mice were ovariectomized to simulate an estrogen-deficient postmenopausal status and then treated with 17-beta-estradiol (E2) at different doses and different administration strategies. Results Using a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) glycoproteomic method, we demonstrated that E2 treatment increased the degree of glycosylation on IgG-Fc with both galactosylation and sialylation in the position required for interaction with Fc gamma receptors. We also observed that only long-term estrogen deficiency reduces IgG levels and that estrogen status had no impact on total IgG sialylation on both Fab and Fc domains or general glycoprotein sialylation evaluated by ELISA. Furthermore, E2 status did not affect the total sialic acid content of total cells in lymphoid organs and neither B cells nor plasma cells. Conclusion The study concluded that E2 treatment does not affect total serum glycoprotein sialylation but alters IgG glycosylation, including IgG sialylation, implying that estrogen functions as an intrinsic modulator of IgG sialylation and could thereby be one pathway by which estrogen modulates immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priti Gupta
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre and Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- SciLifeLab, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tibor Sághy
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre and Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- SciLifeLab, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jauquline Nordqvist
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jonas Nilsson
- Proteomics Core Facility, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hans Carlsten
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Horkeby
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre and Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Petra Henning
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre and Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Engdahl
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Osteoporosis Centre and Centre for Bone and Arthritis Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- SciLifeLab, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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