Tissue-specific sex steroid action: role of HSD17B-enzymes

There is evidence of the relation of sex steroid hormones and sexual dimorphism in immune system response to infectious diseases. The aim of this review was to identify the role of sex hormones in immune function and sexual dimorphism of immune reactions. Gonadal hormones together with the immune system play an important role in process of immune responses to the disease [1]. Estrogens, progesterone and testosterone have different impacts on immune cells and different gonadal hormones are of high importance for responses of innate and adaptive immunity [1, 2]. Estrogens mainly enhance immune function while testosterone has a suppressive role. Higher progesterone during pregnancy leads to autoimmune disease remission and an elevated susceptibility toward certain infectious diseases [2, 3, 4]. The intensity and prevalence of viral infections are typically higher in males, whereas disease outcome could be worse for females [5]. Sexual dimorphism of immune function is based on different concentrations of sex hormones in males and females and on a specific mediating role of these hormones in immune function and response along with differences in innate and adaptive immunity.

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Reducing Cadmium Accumulation in Plants: Structure–Function Relations and Tissue-Specific Operation of Transporters in the Spotlight

Plants ◽

10.3390/plants9020223 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 223 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Xin Huang ◽

Songpo Duan ◽

Qi Wu ◽

Min Yu ◽

Sergey Shabala

Keyword(s):

Structure Function ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Cadmium Accumulation ◽

Major Focus ◽

Phloem Tissue ◽

Cd Uptake ◽

Major Health ◽

Cd Accumulation ◽

Tissue Specific

Cadmium (Cd) is present in many soils and, when entering the food chain, represents a major health threat to humans. Reducing Cd accumulation in plants is complicated by the fact that most known Cd transporters also operate in the transport of essential nutrients such as Zn, Fe, Mn, or Cu. This work summarizes the current knowledge of mechanisms mediating Cd uptake, radial transport, and translocation within the plant. It is concluded that real progress in the field may be only achieved if the transport of Cd and the above beneficial micronutrients is uncoupled, and we discuss the possible ways of achieving this goal. Accordingly, we suggest that the major focus of research in the field should be on the structure–function relations of various transporter isoforms and the functional assessment of their tissue-specific operation. Of specific importance are two tissues. The first one is a xylem parenchyma in plant roots; a major “controller” of Cd loading into the xylem and its transport to the shoot. The second one is a phloem tissue that operates in the last step of a metal transport. Another promising and currently underexplored avenue is to understand the role of non-selective cation channels in Cd uptake and reveal mechanisms of their regulation.

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