scholarly journals Sex-Dimorphism in Aging Gene Regulation: Are We Missing Half of the Picture?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 736-736
Author(s):  
Bérénice Benayoun ◽  
Ryan Lu ◽  
Nirmal Sampathkumar ◽  
Min Hoo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Omics Data ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Sex Dimorphism ◽  
Primary Macrophage ◽  
Functional Differences ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Aging Studies ◽  
The Us ◽  
Macrophage Populations

Abstract The existence of human supercentenarians reveals a surprising predictor for exceptional longevity: being female. Not only are 33 out of 34 living supercentenarians women, women are also more resistant to most diseases responsible for age-related morbidity in the US. However, because most molecular aging studies generally opt to use only one sex, sex-driven differences in aging remain poorly understood. A key compartment that can actively respond to sex-specific inputs throughout life is the immune system. Indeed, the majority of age-related diseases share common inflammatory mechanisms, a phenomenon described as “inflamm-aging”. Macrophages play an important role in the inflammatory response throughout life, and are considered major mediators of this phenomenon. Thus, to unbiasedly dissect sex differences in immune aging, we generated ‘omics’ data from 4 and 20 months old female and male mice. Intriguingly, we found that transcriptional aging in primary macrophage populations varies strongly between sexes, with up to 20-fold more aging changes in female vs. male cells. Pathways specifically downregulated in females with aging included lysosome, inflammation and phagolysosome. We confirmed experimentally that metabolic preferences of macrophages are indeed directly modulated in this context (e.g. glycolytic preference for male-derived cells). Our results support the notion that there are functional differences in aging trajectories in the immune system of female vs. male mice. Our research could provide new insights into the molecular underpinnings of sex-dimorphism in aging and disease.

Potential immunotherapy for Alzheimer disease and age-related dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Cross Talk ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Brain

Emerging results support the concept that Alzheimer disease (AD) and age-related dementia are affected by the ability of the immune system to contain the brain's pathology. Accordingly, well-controlled boosting, rather than suppression of systemic immunity, has been suggested as a new approach to modify disease pathology without directly targeting any of the brain's disease hallmarks. Here, we provide a short review of the mechanisms orchestrating the cross-talk between the brain and the immune system. We then discuss how immune checkpoint blockade directed against the PD-1/PD-L1 pathways could be developed as an immunotherapeutic approach to combat this disease using a regimen that will address the needs to combat AD.

Potential immunotherapy for Alzheimer disease and age-related dementia

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Cross Talk ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Brain

Emerging results support the concept that Alzheimer disease (AD) and age-related dementia are affected by the ability of the immune system to contain the brain’s pathology. Accordingly, well-controlled boosting, rather than suppression of systemic immunity, has been suggested as a new approach to modify disease pathology without directly targeting any of the brain’s disease hallmarks. Here, we provide a short review of the mechanisms orchestrating the cross-talk between the brain and the immune system. We then discuss how immune checkpoint blockade directed against the PD-1/PD-L1 pathways could be developed as an immunotherapeutic approach to combat this disease using a regimen that will address the needs to combat AD.

scholarly journals Sex dependent differences in physiological ageing in the immune system of lower airways in healthy non-smoking volunteers: study of lymphocyte subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood

Thorax ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 450-455
Author(s):  
E Mund ◽  
B Christensson ◽  
K Larsson ◽  
R Grönneberg
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Bronchoalveolar Lavage ◽  
Lymphocyte Subsets ◽  
Antigen Expression ◽  
Lavage Fluid ◽  
Physiological Ageing ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
Cd8 Cells ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Surface Antigen Expression

BACKGROUNDAge related changes in the immune system have been studied frequently but a possible relation to sex has not, to our knowledge, previously been examined. The effect of age and sex on the composition of lymphocyte subsets in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and peripheral blood was therefore examined.METHODSBronchoscopy with lavage was performed in 32 healthy non-atopic, non-smoking volunteers (16 women aged 26–63 years (mean 44) and 16 men aged 23–63 years (mean 39)). Cytospin preparations for differential counts of BAL fluid cells and surface antigen expression of lymphocytes from BAL fluid and blood were analysed by flow cytometry.RESULTSMost parameters in the BAL fluid changed with age in women. The percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes increased with age from a mean of 48 (SD10)% in women aged ⩽40 years to 69 (11)% in women aged >43 years (p=0.001). The percentage of CD8+ lymphocytes tended to decrease with age and the CD4/CD8 ratio was 5.8 (1.2) in women aged >43 years compared with 2.1 (0.7) in those aged ⩽40 years (p<0.0001). Women aged >43 years differed from men aged >43 years as well as from younger subjects of both sexes with respect to CD4+ cells and CD4/CD8 ratio, and from younger women with respect to CD8+ cells. There was no age related change in the CD4/CD8 ratio in blood. No sex related differences were seen in the blood or BAL fluid of adults below the age of 40 years.CONCLUSIONSThe composition of lymphocytes with different phenotypes in the lower respiratory tract changes with age in women but not in men. This may have implications for some clinical conditions such as chronic dry cough which are observed predominantly in women.

scholarly journals Haptoglobin and Its Related Protein, Zonulin—What Is Their Role in Spondyloarthropathy?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1131
Author(s):  
Magdalena Chmielińska ◽  
Marzena Olesińska ◽  
Katarzyna Romanowska-Próchnicka ◽  
Dariusz Szukiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Free Radicals ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Acute Phase Protein ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Functional Differences ◽  
Phase Protein ◽  
Its Polymorphism

Haptoglobin (Hp) is an acute phase protein which supports the immune response and protects tissues from free radicals. Its concentration correlates with disease activity in spondyloarthropathies (SpAs). The Hp polymorphism determines the functional differences between Hp1 and Hp2 protein products. The role of the Hp polymorphism has been demonstrated in many diseases. In particular, the Hp 2-2 phenotype has been associated with the unfavorable course of some inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Its potential role in modulating the immune system in SpA is still unknown. This article contains pathophysiological considerations on the potential relationship between Hp, its polymorphism and SpA.

scholarly journals NPY Deficiency Prevents Postmenopausal Adiposity by Augmenting Estradiol-Mediated Browning

2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1042-1049
Author(s):  
Seongjoon Park ◽  
Erkhembayar Nayantai ◽  
Toshimitsu Komatsu ◽  
Hiroko Hayashi ◽  
Ryoichi Mori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Fat Metabolism ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
Intracellular Mechanism

Abstract The orexigenic hormone neuropeptide Y (NPY) plays a pivotal role in the peripheral regulation of fat metabolism. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of sex on NPY function have not been extensively analyzed. In this study, we examined the effects of NPY deficiency on fat metabolism in male and female mice. Body weight was slightly decreased, whereas white adipose tissue (WAT) mass was significantly decreased as the thermogenic program was upregulated in NPY-/- female mice compared with that in wild-type mice; these factors were not altered in response to NPY deficiency in male mice. Moreover, lack of NPY resulted in an increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) expression in the pituitary gland, with concomitant activation of the estradiol-mediated thermogenic program in inguinal WAT, and alleviated age-related modification of adiposity in female mice. Taken together, these data revealed a novel intracellular mechanism of NPY in the regulation of fat metabolism and highlighted the sexual dimorphism of NPY as a promising target for drug development to reduce postmenopausal adiposity.

scholarly journals Changes in Retinal Structure and Ultrastructure in the Aged Mice Correlate With Differences in the Expression of Selected Retinal miRNAs

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anca Hermenean ◽  
Maria Consiglia Trotta ◽  
Sami Gharbia ◽  
Andrei Gelu Hermenean ◽  
Victor Eduard Peteu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Amorphous Materials ◽  
Retinal Pigment ◽  
Ultrastructural Changes ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Bruch's Membrane ◽  
Bruch’S Membrane ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Biological Sex ◽  
Age Related

Age and gender are two important factors that may influence the function and structure of the retina and its susceptibility to retinal diseases. The aim of this study was to delineate the influence that biological sex and age exert on the retinal structural and ultrastructural changes in mice and to identify the age-related miRNA dysregulation profiles in the retina by gender. Experiments were undertaken on male and female Balb/c aged 24 months (approximately 75–85 years in humans) compared to the control (3 months). The retinas were analyzed by histology, transmission electron microscopy, and age-related miRNA expression profile analysis. Retinas of both sexes showed a steady decline in retinal thickness as follows: photoreceptor (PS) and outer layers (p &lt; 0.01 for the aged male vs. control; p &lt; 0.05 for the aged female vs. control); the inner retinal layers were significantly affected by the aging process in the males (p &lt; 0.01) but not in the aged females. Electron microscopy revealed more abnormalities which involve the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch’s membrane, outer and inner layers, vascular changes, deposits of amorphous materials, and accumulation of lipids or lipofuscins. Age-related miRNAs, miR-27a-3p (p &lt; 0.01), miR-27b-3p (p &lt; 0.05), and miR-20a-5p (p &lt; 0.05) were significantly up-regulated in aged male mice compared to the controls, whereas miR-20b-5p was significantly down-regulated in aged male (p &lt; 0.05) and female mice (p &lt; 0.05) compared to the respective controls. miR-27a-3p (5.00 fold; p &lt; 0.01) and miR-27b (7.58 fold; p &lt; 0.01) were significantly up-regulated in aged male mice vs. aged female mice, whereas miR-20b-5p (−2.10 fold; p &lt; 0.05) was significantly down-regulated in aged male mice vs. aged female mice. Interestingly, miR-27a-3p, miR-27b-3p, miR-20a-5p, and miR-20b-5p expressions significantly correlated with the thickness of the retinal PS layer (p &lt; 0.01), retinal outer layers (p &lt; 0.01), and Bruch’s membrane (p &lt; 0.01). Our results showed that biological sex can influence the structure and function of the retina upon aging, suggesting that this difference may be underlined by the dysregulation of age-related mi-RNAs.

scholarly journals Current clinical immunotherapeutic approaches for head and neck cancer

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Soto Chervin ◽  
Bruce Brockstein
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Hematological Malignancies ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Clinical Development ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Status

It was estimated that 59,340 new cases of head and neck cancer would be diagnosed in the US alone in 2015 and that 12,290 deaths would be attributed to the disease. Local and regional recurrences may be treated with chemotherapy and radiation; however, metastatic head and neck cancer is fatal and is treated with chemotherapy for palliation. Recent successful treatment of a variety of solid and hematological malignancies by immunotherapeutic approaches (i.e. harnessing the body’s own immune system to combat disease) has added a fourth therapeutic option for the treatment of cancer. This commentary will review the status of immunotherapies in clinical development for the specific treatment of head and neck cancer.

scholarly journals Long-term Use of Aspirin and Age-related Macular Degeneration

2013 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 144 ◽  
Author(s):  
William G Christen ◽  
Emily Y Chew ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Macular Degeneration ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Randomized Trials ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Neovascular Amd ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Us ◽  
Regular Aspirin

Recent findings from observational epidemiologic studies have raised concern about a possible adverse effect of regular aspirin use in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and in particular neovascular AMD, which is the leading cause of severe irreversible blindness in the US. In this report, we consider these findings in light of the relative strengths and limitations of observational studies and randomized trials. While the findings are important and warrant further investigation, the inherent limitations of observation studies, most notably uncontrolled confounding, preclude an interpretation of causality. Alternatively, the most reliable evidence with which to evaluate the effects of regular aspirin use in AMD will derive from well-designed randomized trials of sufficient size and duration.

Environmental Enrichment Improves Age-Related Immune System Impairment: Long-Term Exposure Since Adulthood Increases Life Span in Mice

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Arranz ◽  
Nuria M. De Castro ◽  
Isabel Baeza ◽  
Ianire Maté ◽  
Maria Paz Viveros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Age Related

Sex Differences in the Relation Between Frailty and Endothelial Dysfunction in Old Mice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jazmin A Cole ◽  
Mackenzie N Kehmeier ◽  
Bradley R Bedell ◽  
Sahana Krishna Kumaran ◽  
Grant D Henson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Endothelial Function ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Mesenteric Artery ◽  
Frailty Index ◽  
Mesenteric Arteries ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Age Related

Abstract Vascular endothelial function declines with age on average, but there is high variability in the magnitude of this decline within populations. Measurements of frailty, known as frailty index (FI), can be used as surrogates for biological age, but it is unknown if frailty relates to the age-related decline in vascular function. To examine this relation, we studied young (4-9 months) and old (23-32 months) C57BL6 mice of both sexes. We found that FI was greater in old compared with young mice, but did not differ between old male and female mice. Middle cerebral artery (MCA) and mesenteric artery endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) also did not differ between old male and female mice; however, there were sex differences in the relations between FI and EDD. For the MCA, FI was inversely related to EDD among old female mice, but not old male mice. In contrast, for the mesenteric artery, FI was inversely related to EDD among old male mice, but not old female mice. A higher FI was related to a greater improvement in EDD with the superoxide scavenger TEMPOL in the MCAs for old female mice and in the mesenteric arteries for old male mice. FI related to mesenteric artery gene expression negatively for extracellular superoxide dismutase (Sod3) and positively for interleukin-1β (Il1b). In summary, we found that the relation between frailty and endothelial function is dependent on sex and the artery examined. Arterial oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signaling are potential mediators of the relations of frailty and endothelial function.

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