Título del libro: Understanding Sexual Dimorphism
Título del capítulo: Macrophages: Are they key players in explaining sex associated susceptibility of the immune response?
JORGE GUSTAVO MORALES MONTOR; CLAUDIA ANGELICA GARAY CANALES;
Autores externos:
Idioma:
Año de publicación:
2023
Palabras clave:
Immune receptors; Innate immune response; Macrophages; Sex-specific transcriptome; Sexual dimorphism; Steroid hormones; X chromosome inactivation
Resumen:
In mammals, females and males differ not only in phenotype but in many different biological features, referred to as sexual dimorphism. In particular, the immune response is different between biological sexes; females exhibit a strong reaction against several viral, bacterial, or parasitic pathogens, presenting generally lower infection rates than males. Nevertheless, females suffer a higher incidence of autoimmune diseases, indicating a straightened immune response against both self and non-self-molecular patterns. The molecular mechanisms responsible for these differences are not fully understood, mainly because there are several participants involved in such responses. Such factors as cellular lineage to elicit a response to certain pathogens, mechanisms of immune control, the influence of sexual hormones, and mucosal microbiome, among others, are responsible for the sex-associated immune response. For instance, sex hormones can modify immune response through the expression of hormone receptors, which are different for female or male hormones. Estrogen receptors are expressed in the brain, lymphoid tissue cells, and many immune cells, while androgens receptors have a more limited expression. Also, genetic, and epigenetic factors, as well as chromosome-linked immune function genes, are critical to enhanced humoral immunity in females, leading to higher levels of antibodies and other important features compared to males. Sequence profiling of immune cells from different lineage showed distinct RNA and ATAC patterns, especially in macrophages between females and males; transcriptional sexual dimorphism in macrophages is mediated by genes of innate immune pathways, which may explain the stronger humoral immune response in females since they present a more activated innate immune pathways prior pathogen invasion. Macrophage is the major differentiated cell of the mononuclear phagocytic system; they are widely distributed throughout the body, displaying remarkable structural and functional heterogeneity. It is well known that macrophages are a key component of the innate immune system; their functions range from phagocytosis, destruction of microorganisms, antigen processing, presentation, immunomodulator, hemostasis, tissue repair, remodeling, and tumor cell control, to autoimmunity. Macrophages express sex hormone receptors, which alter their function, female sex hormones estradiol, and progesterone, as well as male androgens, such as testosterone, elicit direct effects on the function and inflammatory capacity of macrophages. Hormone levels are produced differently throughout life; these alterations occur in synchronicity with periods of hormonal changes such as puberty for males and females, or later during pregnancy, menopause, or exogenous hormone therapy, which are also reflected in changes in the immune function of macrophages. Evidence suggests sex-specific transcriptome and methylome changes in macrophages, as one possible explanation of sexual dimorphism at epigenetic levels. This book chapter will outline some factors contributing to macrophages as key responsible for contributing to sexual dimorphism in innate immune response, not only addressing that females have an evolutionary advantage during young life when they present an efficient response to infectious diseases but later in life when aging tends to lead to autoimmune pathologies. Moreover, by understanding the sex-specific responses to microorganisms and vaccines by macrophages, and how sex hormones are drivers of epigenetic changes, we can use specific markers to more appropriate target therapies. © 2023 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Entidades citadas de la UNAM:
ISBN:
9798886979459
Editorial:
Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Nombre de la publicación:
Macrophages: Are they key players in explaining sex associated susceptibility of the immune response?
Página inicial:
75
Página final:
108
Tipo de producto:
Capítulo de un Libro
