scholarly journals MON-210 Role of Female Gender and Subcutaneous Fat in the Positive Association of Obesity with Idiopathic Hyperaldosteronism

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nagisa Sawayama ◽  
Yu Hatano ◽  
Ken Ebihara ◽  
Chihiro Ebihara ◽  
Manabu Takahashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Visceral Fat Area ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Idiopathic Hyperaldosteronism

Abstract Context: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent cause of secondary hypertension. The relationship between PA and various metabolic disorders including obesity, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia has been reported. On the other hand, PA consists of two main subtypes: unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and the bilateral idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA), which have different etiologies. Recently, it was reported that the prevalence of obesity was higher in patients with IHA than those with APA, suggesting that there is a link between obesity and the etiology of IHA (Ohno Y et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018). Furthermore, it has also been reported that female patients with PA are more likely to have IHA than male patients. Objective: Our objective was to clarify the pathological role of female gender in the positive association of obesity with IHA. Because of the difference of body fat distribution between men and women, we also investigate the contribution of visceral and subcutaneous fats in the pathogenesis of IHA. Design: This retrospective observational study comprised 117 PA patients (IHA: n = 73, APA: n = 44) diagnosed by adrenal venous sampling between January 2006 and July 2019 at Jichi Medical University Hospital. We compared prevalence of obesity and metabolic parameters including visceral and subcutaneous fat areas measured by computed tomography between patients with IHA and APA by gender. We also compared visceral and subcutaneous fat areas between patients with IHA and APA by the presence of obesity, BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (the diagnosis criteria by Japan Society for the Study of Obesity). Results: In consistent with previous reports, BMI was significantly higher in patients with IHA than those with APA. However, in male patients, no difference of BMI between IHA and APA was observed. By contrast, in female patients, not only BMI but also both visceral and subcutaneous fat areas were significantly higher in IHA than in APA. Next, we investigated the contribution of visceral and subcutaneous fats in the positive association of obesity with IHA in female patients. Subcutaneous fat area but not visceral fat area was significantly higher in female obese patients with IHA. By contrast, visceral fat area but not subcutaneous fat area was significantly higher in female non-obese patients with IHA. Conclusions: These results suggest that obesity, especially subcutaneous fat accumulation, contributes to the pathogenesis of IHA in female patients.

Obesity and inflammation: colorectal cancer engines

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lara J. Bou Malhab ◽  
Wael M. Abdel-Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
Stat3 Signaling ◽  
Therapeutic Choice ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Inhibitory Molecules

: The prevalence of obesity continues to increase to the extent that it became a worldwide pandemic. An accumulating body of evidence has associated obesity with the development of different types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, which is a notorious disease with a high mortality rate. At the molecular level, colorectal cancer is a heterogenous disease characterized by a myriad of genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with various forms of genomic instability (detailed in Supplementary Materials). Recently, the microenvironment has emerged as a major factor in carcinogenesis. Our aim is to define the different molecular alterations leading to the development of colorectal cancer in obese patients with a focus on the role of the microenvironment in carcinogenesis. We also highlight all existent molecules in clinical trials that target the activated pathways in obesity-associated colorectal cancer, whether used as single treatments or in combination. Obesity predisposes to colorectal cancer via creating a state of chronic inflammation with dysregulated adipokines, inflammatory mediators, and other factors such as immune cell infiltration. A unifying theme in obesity-mediated colorectal cancer is the activation of the PI3K/AKT, mTOR/MAPK, and STAT3 signaling pathways. Different inhibitory molecules towards these pathways exist, increasing the therapeutic choice of obesity-associated colon cancer. However, obese patients are more likely to suffer from chemotherapy overdosing. Preventing obesity through maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle remains to be the best remedy.

scholarly journals 88 Evidence of enhanced immune activation within the tumor microenvironment and the circulation of female patients with high-risk melanoma compared to males

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A96-A96
Author(s):  
Mariam Saad ◽  
Aik Choon Tan ◽  
Issam El Naqa ◽  
Sandra Lee ◽  
F Stephen Hodi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
T Cells ◽  
Expression Profiling ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
National Institutes Of Health ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
High Risk Melanoma ◽  
Risk Melanoma ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Written Informed Consent

BackgroundSex differences in tumor immunity and response to immunotherapy were shown in murine models and descriptive analyses from recent clinical trials. We recently reported that female gender is a favorable prognostic marker for survival benefit following ipilimumab and high dose interferon-alfa (HDI) adjuvant therapy of high-risk melanoma in the ECOG-ACRIN E1609 trial (N=1670). Therefore, we investigated differences in candidate immune biomarkers in the circulation and tumor microenvironment (TME) of female and male patients.MethodsGene expression profiling (GEP) was performed on the tumor biopsies of 718 (454 male, 264 female) patients. The primary endpoint was mRNA expression profiling using U133A 2.0 Affymetrix gene chips. Raw microarray data sets were normalized by using the Robust Multi-array Average (RMA) method using Affymetrix Power Tools (APT) as previously published. Multiple probe sets representing the same genes were collapsed by using the probe with maximum gene expression. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed by comparing the female and male tumor samples, and gene sets with FDR q-value <0.1 were deemed as significant. Similarly, peripheral blood (serum and PBMC) samples were tested for soluble (Luminex) and cellular (multicolor flow cytometry) prognostic biomarkers in a subset of patients (N=321; 109 female and 212 male). All patients provided an IRB-approved written informed consent.ResultsAmong the subset of patients tested for circulating biomarkers, females were significantly younger than males (P=0.03). Testing PBMCs, the percentages of CD3+ T cells (P=0.04) and CD3+CD4+ helper T cells (P=0.0005) were significantly higher in female patients compared to males. Also, there were trends toward higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL1beta (P=0.07) and IL6 (P=0.06) in females. On the other hand, males had significantly higher percentages of monocytes (P=0.03). Further, there were trends toward higher percentages of CD3+/CD4+/CD25hi+/Foxp3+ (P=0.1) and CD3+/CD4+/CD25+/CD127low+ (P=0.1) T-reg in male patients compared to females. Among the cohort of patients (N=718) with tumor GEP data, females were significantly younger than males (P=0.0009). GEP identified pathways and genes related to immune cell infiltration and activation that were significantly enriched in the tumors of females compared to males (table 1).Abstract 88 Table 1Immune pathways significantly enriched in tumors of femalesConclusionsFemale gender was associated with adjuvant immunotherapeutic benefits and female patients were more likely to have evidence of immune activation within the TME and the circulation, supporting a potentially important role for female related factors in the immune response against melanoma, and these require further investigation.AcknowledgementsWe are grateful to the patients and family members who participated in the E1609 trial and the E1609 trial investigators. This study was conducted by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (Peter J. O’Dwyer, MD and Mitchell D. Schnall, MD, PhD, Group Co-Chairs) and supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under the following award numbers: U10CA180794, U10CA180820, U10CA180888, UG1CA233180, UG1CA233184. Biomarkers studies were supported under the following award number: P50CA12197310 (Tarhini and Kirkwood). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.Trial RegistrationNCT01274338Ethics ApprovalThe E1609 study protocol was approved by the institutional review board of each participating institution and conducted in accordance with Good Clinical Practice guidelines as defined by the International Conference on Harmonization. All patients provided an IRB-approved written informed consent.ConsentNot applicable.

scholarly journals Gender and Quality of Life After Cerebral Stroke

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amra Zalihić ◽  
Vedran Markotić ◽  
Dino Zalihić ◽  
Mirela Mabić
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cerebral Stroke ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Negative Prognostic Factor ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Medium Range ◽  
Male Patients

The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of gender on recovery after cerebral stroke.It is believed that functional outcome of cerebral stroke (CS) depends on gender. Female gender is mildly negative prognostic factor in after stroke results. Two hundred and two patients who had first ischemic cerebral stroke were questioned with help of, HADS and WHOQOL-Bref questionnaires, looking for differences in recovery depending on gender. Average patients' age was 72+/-13 (ME+/-IR) years. The youngest patient had 40 years, and the oldest 92 years, and medium range was 52 years. There were 112 males and 90 females. Quality of life was equally graded by both male and female after CS (p=0.208). Male patients had significantly better results in physical (p=0.035) and psychological (p=0.020) domain of life quality. After CS, male patients had better results only in memory dimension (p=0.003). Anxiety was statistically more frequent among female patients (p=0.009). Gender did not influence frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients with CS. Quality of life after CS was better in male patients, and statistically significant difference has been shown in physical, psychological domain and memory dimension. Female patients were more anxious then male after CS.

scholarly journals Study of Drug Prescription Pattern of Obese and Non-Obese Patients with Type-II Diabetes with or without Hypertension

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-93
Author(s):  
Mijala Bajracharya ◽  
S Nakarmi
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Obese Patients ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Waist To Hip Ratio ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs

Correction: The page numbers were changed from 98-100 to 81-93 on 31/08/2020. Background: Obesity is regarded as worldwide health problems which may put a person at a higher risk of serious health conditions leading to morbidity and mortality. Obesity is a risk factor for many diseases of which hypertension and type-2 diabetes mellitus are the most important. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity together form 24% of the global risk for mortality. Cardiovascular diseases related to these life-style disorders has major effect on life expectancy and impaired quality of life. Objectives: The study was done to evaluate the drug prescribing pattern of type - 2 diabetes and hypertension in both obese and non-obese patients. Along with it, this study also attempt to find the contributing factors associated with it and different types of drugs selected in those conditions respectively. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2074 at Manmohan memorial teaching hospital. A total of 101 out-patient were interviewed, measurements were done to calculate BMI and waist to hip ratio and their prescriptions were reviewed. For Treatment Guideline of HTN, JNC 8[20] was followed and Updated Treatment Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) [21] was followed in case of diabetes. Result: Among 101 patients studied, 58 were males and 43 were females. Regarding physical activity, only 26.7% of total patients were involved in morning walk and 3% in yoga, remaining 71% of study patients did not involve in any kind of physical exercise. Regarding food habits, 22.8% were smokers, 49.5% were alcoholics and 96% were non-vegetarians. Waist to hip ratio was also observed higher in both males (35.6%) and females (39.6%). Among the101 total participants, the age group of 41-55 years were found to be more obese than other age group (34 in numbers) followed by age group 56-70 which were 16 in numbers. Male patients were more obese (41) than female patients (31). Highest number (31) of the obese patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, followed by second highest number (26) of patients diagnosed with hypertension and 15 patients with both the conditions. The commonly prescribed oral hypoglycemic drugs were metformin (35.60%) followed by glimepiride (24.80%). Among anti-hypertensive drugs, amlodipine (22.80%) was most common in prescriptions followed by losartan (18.80%) and Telmisartan (17.80%). Conclusion: The results of the present study show that higher number of male patients (41) were obese than female patients (31). About 30% of patients were found obese-diabetic, 26% were obese-hypertensive and 15% were with both obese diabetic and hypertensive condition. Among oral hypoglycemic drugs, metformin (35.60%) was mostly prescribed followed by glimepiride (24.80%). Among antihypertensives, amlodipine (22.8%) was mostly prescribed followed by losartan (18.80%). Atorvastatin (11.9%) was mostly prescribed oral hypolipidemic agent.

scholarly journals The Shortest Distance from the Skin to Pancreas and the Lower Sternum Angle can Influence Short-Term Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Peng ◽  
Wei Tao ◽  
Yuxi Cheng ◽  
Ying-Ying Zou ◽  
Kun Qian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Cancer ◽  
Surgical Outcomes ◽  
Distal Gastrectomy ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Xiphoid Process ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Shortest Distance ◽  
Estimated Blood Loss ◽  
Male Patients

Abstract Background The surgery of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy + D2 lymph node dissection (LADG) is widely used in patients with gastric cancer, the purpose of the study is to explore the effect of abdominal shape on short-term surgical outcomes.Methods This was a retrospective study which included 316 patients undergoing LADG from January 2013 to June 2019 at a single clinical center. The abdominal parameters including the shortest distance of the pancreas from the anterior abdominal skin (PAAD), the lower sternum angle (LSA), the thickness of subcutaneous fat at the navel level (SFT), the anteroposterior diameters (APD) and left-right diameters(LRD) at the navel level, the distance from xiphoid process to the navel (XND), and the distance from xiphoid process to the pubis (XBD) were calculated by preoperative abdominal computed tomography (CT) image. The parameters and short-term surgical outcomes were analyzed.Results In males, the number of retrieved lymph nodes was significantly higher in patients with BMI <25kg/m2 (p=0.023) and APD <176.2mm (p=0.004). The time of operation was significantly shorter in male patients with BMI <25kg/m2(p=0.001), PAAD <64.6mm(p=0.000), SFT <14.9mm(p=0.017), APD <176.2mm(p=0.002) and LRD <290.0mm(p=0.036), and in female patients with XBD >370.0mm(p=0.042). The estimated blood loss was significantly lower in male patients with LSA <83.8° (p=0.009), PAAD <64.6mm(p=0.001), SFT <14.9mm(p=0.001), APD <176.2mm(p=0.009) and LRD <290.0mm(p=0.011). The complications were fewer in male patients with PAAD <64.6mm(p=0.045) and APD <176.2mm(p=0.011), and in female patients with LRD <288.5mm(p=0.047).Conclusion Various abdominal shapes can influence the difficulty of LADG. Lower LSA and PAAD can reduce the difficulty of LADG in male patients.

scholarly journals Computed tomography assessment of fat distribution in male and female patients with Cushing's syndrome

2003 ◽  
pp. 561-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
AG Rockall ◽  
SA Sohaib ◽  
D Evans ◽  
G Kaltsas ◽  
AM Isidori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cushing’S Syndrome ◽  
Visceral Fat ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Fat Distribution ◽  
Cushing's Syndrome ◽  
Normal Male ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Male Patients

OBJECTIVE: Our aims were to describe the abdominal fat distribution in male patients with Cushing's syndrome (CS) on computerised tomography (CT), to compare our findings with non-cushingoid patients, to validate previous reports of increased visceral fat in female patients with CS and to identify any correlations between fat distribution and biochemical findings. DESIGN: Retrospective and observational. PATIENTS: Appropriate CT scans were identified in 31 patients (seven male) with active CS. MEASUREMENTS: Total, visceral and subcutaneous fat areas were obtained. The percentage of visceral fat and the visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio (V:S ratio) were calculated. Biochemical data were recorded. Control data of fat distribution were obtained from the literature. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the V:S ratio in male patients with CS when compared with non-cushingoid controls (1.175+/-0.59 vs 0.77+/-0.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0817-0.728). There was a significant increase in the V:S ratio in female patients with CS (0.845+/-0.53 vs 0.38+/-0.19, 95% CI 0.269-0.661). There was no difference in the V:S ratio between male and female patients with CS (1.175+/-0.59 vs 0.845+/-0.53, 95% CI -0.144-0.804). No significant correlations between fat distribution and glucose levels, circulating cortisol, ACTH or lipids were found. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate an increase in visceral fat distribution in both male and female patients with CS, with the abolition of the normal male to female difference in visceral fat. Increased visceral fat may increase the risk of the metabolic syndrome in this group of patients.

Planum parietale volume in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1505-1505
Author(s):  
V. Shivakumar ◽  
S.V. Kalmady ◽  
G. Venkatasubramanian ◽  
S. Gautham ◽  
S. Aditi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parietal Lobe ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Inferior Parietal Lobule ◽  
Time Study ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Parietal Lobule ◽  
First Rank Symptoms ◽  
First Time

IntroductionFirst Rank Symptoms (FRS) - a group of intriguing experiences characterized by striking breach of ‘self versus non-self’ boundaries - have had a critical influence on the diagnosis of schizophrenia. Inferior Parietal Lobule is implicated in the pathogenesis of FRS in Schizophrenia. However, the role of Planum Parietale (PP) in the genesis of FRS is yet to be examined.Aims & objectivesThis first time study (to the best of our knowledge), aims to examine antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients for the effect of FRS status on volume of PP.MethodIn this study we examined the volume of PP in antipsychotic-naïve schizophrenia patients (n = 32; M:F = 16:16) in comparison with age, sex, and handedness matched (as a group) healthy comparison subjects (n = 34; M:F = 16:18) using valid method with good inter-rater reliability.ResultsFemale Schizophrenia patients showed significant volume reduction in right PP in comparison with female healthy controls (F = 7.2; p = 0.01). However, male patients did not. There was a significant effect of schneiderian FRS in female patients in that those who had FRS had significantly smaller volume of right PP than healthy controls (F = 3.8; p = 0.03); where those female patients who were FRS negative did not differ. Left PP volume did not differ between patients and controls.ConclusionsCurrent study supports previous studies which have implicated the role of parietal lobe in pathogenesis of FRS. Specific role of PP in FRS generation and possible implication of sex differences needs further systematic studies.

Leucopenia during Treatment Is a Good Prognostic Risk Factor for Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: An Analysis of the German Hodgkin Study Group (GHSG).

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2674-2674
Author(s):  
Beate Klimm ◽  
Thorsten Reineke ◽  
Heinz Haverkamp ◽  
Hans T. Eich ◽  
Karolin Behringer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Role ◽  
Hodgkin's Lymphoma ◽  
Who Grade ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Severe Leucopenia ◽  
Who Grade Iii ◽  
Grade Iii

Abstract Purpose: A systematic analysis of gender-specific factors in Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) studies previously revealed a better outcome for female HL patients. Factors contributing to better prognosis among female patients not only included more favorable risk factors at diagnosis, but also more treatment-induced severe leuopenia (WHO grade III/IV). The purpose of the current analysis was to characterize and investigate the protective role of severe leucopenia for both, male and female HL patients. Patients and Methods: 4626 HL patients including 2050 females (f) and 2576 males (m) of all prognostic risk groups who were enrolled into the multicenter studies HD4-HD9 of the GHSG were evaluated. The median follow-up after treatment was 5.5 years. Results: Female patients had a significantly better freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) with 81% at 66 months (95% confidence interval 79% – 82%), when compared with male patients (74%; 72% – 76%; p&lt;.0001). This was in part related to the occurrence of more acute chemotherapy-related leucopenia (WHO grade III/IV): 69.9% in female patients and 55.2% in male patients (p&lt;.0001). Furthermore, severe leucopenia during chemotherapy was strongly associated with better FFTF for both, male and female patients. Separate multivariate analyses showed that severe leucopenia remained significant when only male patients were included (0.011). In addition, patients who developed severe leucopenia within the first two cycles of chemotherapy also had a significantly better FFTF (p=.0002) compared with all other patients (Klimm et al, JCO in press). When considering patients with advanced HL undergoing BEACOPP in baseline or escalated dose, the presence of severe leucopenia during chemotherapy (p=.0074) was associated with a better outcome. This finding was also confirmed when only the first two cycles of treatment were analyzed (p =.0205). Conclusion: The protective role of severe leucopenia suggests evaluating of a more individualized therapy in future trials, that may be tailored in a response-adapted manner depending on the individual toxicity profile within the first cycles.

531 Sex-based Differences in the Skin: Is It Just a Female Problem?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S103-S103
Author(s):  
Michael Duplisea ◽  
Felicia N Williams ◽  
Carolyn Ziemer ◽  
Lori Chrisco ◽  
Sarah L Laughon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
American Indian ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Stevens Johnson Syndrome ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Lengths Of Stay ◽  
Indian Patients ◽  
Male Patients

Abstract Introduction Female gender is associated with poorer outcomes in burns, not necessarily related to co-morbid conditions. Our objective was to analyze the effect of gender in biopsy proven Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) spectrum disorders at our institution. Methods Patients were identified using Institutional Burn Center registry, and linked to the clinical and administrative data. All patients admitted with biopsy proven SJS, SJS/TEN overlap, and TEN between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018 were eligible for inclusion. Demographics, length of stay, and mortality were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with Students’ t-test, chi-squared, and Fischer’s exact test. Results One hundred and sixty-eight patients had biopsy proven SJS, SJS/TEN overlap, or TEN. Sixty-one percent of patients were female. The average age of female patients was 51 years while the average age of male patients was 44 years, p&lt; 0.05. Fifty-sex percent of female patients were black. All American Indian patients were female. Female patients had significantly longer lengths of stay, 34 days versus 22 days, p&lt; 0.05. Female patients had an average SCORTEN (a severity of illness score of TEN) compared to male patients. Thirty-three percent of female patients died compared to 18% of male patients, p&lt; 0.05. Two out of three American Indian patients in this cohort died. Conclusions Female gender is associated with increased mortality in burn patients, as well as in our cohort of patients with SJS/TEN. Females represent 51% of our state’s population, but 61% of patients with biopsy proven SJS, SJS/TEN overlap, and TEN at our institution. Compared to male patients, female patients presented with more severe disease (higher SCORTEN at presentation). Genomic, and proteomic studies looking at sex-based differences may be helpful in elucidating the origin of these differences. Applicability of Research to Practice This study demonstrates sex-based differences related to skin desquamating disorders, and these outcomes, coupled with known disparities in burns, may indicate a need for hypervigilance in inpatient management for women, and a re-evaluation of prognostic scoring tools to include a variable for gender.

scholarly journals Analyzing master regulators and scRNA-seq of COVID-19 patients reveals an underlying anti-SARS-CoV-2 mechanism of ZNF proteins

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijie Qin ◽  
Weijun Xu ◽  
Canbiao Wang ◽  
Sizhu Jiang ◽  
Wei Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Cells ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Survival Outcome ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Protein Activity ◽  
Master Regulators ◽  
Female Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Male Patients

AbstractStudies have demonstrated that both mortality and severe illness rates exist significant difference in different gender COVID-19 patients, but the reasons are still very mysterious to date. Here, we firstly find that the survival outcome of female patients is better to male patients through analyzing the 3044 COVID-19 cases. Secondly, we identify many important master regulators [e.g. STAT1/STAT2 and zinc finger (ZNF) proteins], in particular female patients can express more ZNF proteins and stronger transcriptional activities than male patients in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Thirdly, we discover that ZNF protein activity is significantly negative correlation with the SARS-CoV-2 load of COVID-19 patients, and ZNF proteins as transcription factors can also activate their target genes to participate in anti-SARS-CoV-2 infection. Fourthly, we demonstrate that ZNF protein activity is positive correlation with the abundance of multiple immune cells of COVID-19 patients, implying that the highly ZNF protein activity might promote the abundance and the antiviral activity of multiple immune cells to effectively suppress SARS-CoV-2 infection. Taken together, our study proposes an underlying anti-SARS-COV-2 role of ZNF proteins, and differences in the amount and activity of ZNF proteins might be responsible for the distinct prognosis of different gender COVID-19 patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document