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Kim C, Cathey AL, Park S, Watkins DJ, Mukherjee B, Rosario-Pabón ZY, Vélez-Vega CM, Alshawabkeh AN, Cordero JF, Meeker JD. Associations of maternal blood metal concentrations with plasma eicosanoids among pregnant women in Puerto Rico. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 928:172295. [PMID: 38588744 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Heavy metals are known to induce oxidative stress and inflammation, and the association between metal exposure and adverse birth outcomes is well established. However, there lacks research on biomarker profiles linking metal exposures and adverse birth outcomes. Eicosanoids are lipid molecules that regulate inflammation in the body, and there is growing evidence that suggests associations between plasma eicosanoids and pregnancy outcomes. Eicosanoids may aid our understanding of etiologic birth pathways. Here, we assessed associations between maternal blood metal concentrations with eicosanoid profiles among 654 pregnant women in the Puerto Rico PROTECT birth cohort. METHODS We measured concentrations of 11 metals in whole blood collected at median 18 and 26 weeks of pregnancy, and eicosanoid profiles measured in plasma collected at median 26 weeks. Multivariable linear models were used to regress eicosanoids on metals concentrations. Effect modification by infant sex was explored using interaction terms. RESULTS A total of 55 eicosanoids were profiled. Notably, 12-oxoeicosatetraenoic acid (12-oxoETE) and 15-oxoeicosatetraenoic acid (15-oxoETE), both of which exert inflammatory activities, had the greatest number of significant associations with metal concentrations. These eicosanoids were associated with increased concentrations of Cu, Mn, and Zn, and decreased concentrations of Cd, Co, Ni, and Pb, with the strongest effect sizes observed for 12-oxoETE and Pb (β:-33.5,95 %CI:-42.9,-22.6) and 15-oxoETE and Sn (β:43.2,95 %CI:11.4,84.1). Also, we observed differences in metals-eicosanoid associations by infant sex. Particularly, Cs and Mn had the most infant sex-specific significant associations with eicosanoids, which were primarily driven by female fetuses. All significant sex-specific associations with Cs were inverse among females, while significant sex-specific associations with Mn among females were positive within the cyclooxygenase group but inverse among the lipoxygenase group. CONCLUSION Certain metals were significantly associated with eicosanoids that are responsible for regulating inflammatory responses. Eicosanoid-metal associations may suggest a role for eicosanoids in mediating metal-induced adverse birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Kim
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Amber L Cathey
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Seonyoung Park
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Deborah J Watkins
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Zaira Y Rosario-Pabón
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Carmen M Vélez-Vega
- University of Puerto Rico Graduate School of Public Health, UPR Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | | | - José F Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - John D Meeker
- University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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Kianfar S, Salimi V, Jahangirifard A, Mirtajani SB, Vaezi MA, Yavarian J, Mokhtari-Azad T, Tavakoli-Yaraki M. 15-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase expression profile and their related modulators in COVID-19 infection. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2023; 197:102587. [PMID: 37716021 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2023.102587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of the lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating immune responses promoted us in this study to analyze the pattern of changes in 15-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase isoforms and their related cytokines in SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS 15-LOX-1, 15-LOX-2, COX-1 and COX-2 gene expression levels were determined using qRT-PCR in nasopharynx specimens from patients with severe [N = 40] and non-severe [N = 40] confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and healthy controls. Circulating levels of lL-6, lL-10, PGE2, and IFN-γ were measured in patients and healthy controls using ELISA assay. The associations between the measured variables and the patient's clinic-pathological characteristics were assessed for all groups. RESULTS The expression level of 15-LOX-1 was elevated significantly in male patients with severe infection; although female patients showed a different expression profile. 15-LOX-2 expression level was considerably increased in male patients with severe infection; while changes in its expression remained inconclusive in female patients. The relationship between 15-LOX expression and the male gender was prominent. Both COX isoforms expression showed elevation in male and female patients that were correlated with disease severity. The simultaneous increase in lL-6, PGE2 and IFN-γ levels also decrease in lL-10 in patients with severe infection indicating the possible regulatory network related to the COX and 15-LOX enzymes in the output of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSION The results of this study determined the pattern of possible changes in key enzymes of prostaglandin and eicosanoids synthesis pathway and their mediators, which can be helpful in mapping the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity and pharmaceutical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Kianfar
- Bahrami Children Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Salimi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Jahangirifard
- Lung Transplant Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Bashir Mirtajani
- Lung Transplant Research Center, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Vaezi
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jila Yavarian
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Research Center for Antibiotic Stewardship & Antimicrobial Resistance, Tehran university of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Talat Mokhtari-Azad
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Tavakoli-Yaraki
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Li K, Wang M, Huang ZH, Wang M, Sun WY, Kurihara H, Huang RT, Wang R, Huang F, Liang L, Li YF, Duan WJ, He RR. ALOX5 inhibition protects against dopaminergic neurons undergoing ferroptosis. Pharmacol Res 2023:106779. [PMID: 37121496 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative disruption of dopaminergic neurons is regarded as a crucial pathogenesis in Parkinson's disease (PD), eventually causing neurodegenerative progression. (-)-Clausenamide (Clau) is an alkaloid isolated from plant Clausena lansium (Lour.), which is well-known as a scavenger of lipid peroxide products and exhibiting neuroprotective activities both in vivo and in vitro, yet with the in-depth molecular mechanism unrevealed. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects and mechanisms of Clau on dopaminergic neuron. Our results showed that Clau directly interacted with the Ser663 of ALOX5, the PKCα-phosphorylation site, and thus prevented the nuclear translocation of ALOX5, which was essential for catalyzing the production of toxic lipids 5-HETE. LC-MS/MS-based phospholipidomics analysis demonstrated that the oxidized membrane lipids were involved in triggering ferroptotic death in dopaminergic neurons. Furthermore, the inhibition of ALOX5 was found to significantly improving behavioral defects in PD mouse model, which was confirmed associated with the effects of attenuating the accumulation of lipid peroxides and neuronal damages. Collectively, our findings provide an attractive strategy for PD therapy by targeting ALOX5 and preventing ferroptosis in dopaminergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research
| | - Meng Wang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research
| | - Zi-Han Huang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research
| | - Min Wang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research
| | - Wan-Yang Sun
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research
| | - Hiroshi Kurihara
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research
| | - Rui-Ting Huang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Rong Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Feng Huang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Lei Liang
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research.
| | - Yi-Fang Li
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research.
| | - Wen-Jun Duan
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research.
| | - Rong-Rong He
- Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine & Disease Susceptibility/International Cooperative Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization and Innovative Drug Development of Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE)/Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Pharmacodynamic Constituents of TCM and New Drugs Research; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China; School of Chinese Materia Medica and Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicinal Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming 650500, China.
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Sokolowska M, Rovati GE, Diamant Z, Untersmayr E, Schwarze J, Lukasik Z, Sava F, Angelina A, Palomares O, Akdis C, O'Mahony L, Jesenak M, Pfaar O, Torres MJ, Sanak M, Dahlén S, Woszczek G. Effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other eicosanoid pathway modifiers on antiviral and allergic responses: EAACI task force on eicosanoids consensus report in times of COVID-19. Allergy 2022; 77:2337-2354. [PMID: 35174512 PMCID: PMC9111413 DOI: 10.1111/all.15258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other eicosanoid pathway modifiers are among the most ubiquitously used medications in the general population. Their broad anti‐inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects are applied against symptoms of respiratory infections, including SARS‐CoV‐2, as well as in other acute and chronic inflammatory diseases that often coexist with allergy and asthma. However, the current pandemic of COVID‐19 also revealed the gaps in our understanding of their mechanism of action, selectivity, and interactions not only during viral infections and inflammation, but also in asthma exacerbations, uncontrolled allergic inflammation, and NSAIDs‐exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD). In this context, the consensus report summarizes currently available knowledge, novel discoveries, and controversies regarding the use of NSAIDs in COVID‐19, and the role of NSAIDs in asthma and viral asthma exacerbations. We also describe here novel mechanisms of action of leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), outline how to predict responses to LTRA therapy and discuss a potential role of LTRA therapy in COVID‐19 treatment. Moreover, we discuss interactions of novel T2 biologicals and other eicosanoid pathway modifiers on the horizon, such as prostaglandin D2 antagonists and cannabinoids, with eicosanoid pathways, in context of viral infections and exacerbations of asthma and allergic diseases. Finally, we identify and summarize the major knowledge gaps and unmet needs in current eicosanoid research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Sokolowska
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Davos Switzerland
- Christine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE) Davos Switzerland
| | - G Enrico Rovati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Section of Pharmacology and Biosciences University of Milan Milano Italy
| | - Zuzana Diamant
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology Skane University Hospital Lund Sweden
- Department Microbiology Immunology and Transplantation Ku Leuven, Catholic University of Leuven Belgium
- Department of Respiratory Medicine First Faculty of Medicine Charles University and Thomayer Hospital Prague Czech Republic
| | - Eva Untersmayr
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - Jürgen Schwarze
- Child Life and Health and Centre for Inflammation Research The University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | - Zuzanna Lukasik
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Davos Switzerland
- VIB Center for Inflammation Research Ghent University Ghent Belgium
| | - Florentina Sava
- London North Genomic Laboratory Hub Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust London UK
| | - Alba Angelina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology School of Chemistry Complutense University Madrid Spain
| | - Oscar Palomares
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology School of Chemistry Complutense University Madrid Spain
| | - Cezmi Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF) University of Zurich Davos Switzerland
- Christine Kühne ‐ Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐CARE) Davos Switzerland
| | - Liam O'Mahony
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College Cork Cork Ireland
| | - Milos Jesenak
- Department of Pulmonology and Phthisiology Department of Allergology and Clinical Immunology Department of Pediatrics Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin Comenius University in BratislavaUniversity Teaching Hospital in Martin Slovakia
| | - Oliver Pfaar
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Section of Rhinology and Allergy University Hospital MarburgPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - María José Torres
- Allergy Unit Málaga Regional University Hospital‐IBIMA‐UMA Málaga Spain
| | - Marek Sanak
- Department of Medicine Jagiellonian University Medical College Krakow Poland
| | - Sven‐Erik Dahlén
- Institute of Environmental Medicine and the Centre for Allergy Research, Karolinska Institute, and the Department of Respiratory Medicine Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm Sweden
| | - Grzegorz Woszczek
- Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences King's College London London UK
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Troisi F, Pace S, Jordan PM, Meyer KPL, Bilancia R, Ialenti A, Borrelli F, Rossi A, Sautebin L, Serhan CN, Werz O. Sex Hormone-Dependent Lipid Mediator Formation in Male and Female Mice During Peritonitis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:818544. [PMID: 35046831 PMCID: PMC8762308 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.818544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Sex differences in inflammation are obvious and contribute to divergences in the incidence and severity of inflammation-related diseases that frequently preponderate in women. Lipid mediators (LMs), mainly produced by lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX) pathways from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), regulate all stages of inflammation. Experimental and clinical studies revealed sex divergences for selected LM pathways without covering the entire LM spectrum, and only few studies have addressed the respective role of sex hormones. Here, we performed the comprehensive LM profile analysis with inflammatory peritoneal exudates and plasma from male and female mice in zymosan-induced peritonitis to identify the potential sex differences in LM biosynthesis during the inflammatory response. We also addressed the impact of sex hormones by employing gonadectomy. Methods: Adult male and female CD1 mice received intraperitoneal injection of zymosan to induce peritonitis, a well-established experimental model of acute, self-resolving inflammation. Mice were gonadectomized 5 weeks prior to peritonitis induction. Peritoneal exudates and plasma were taken at 4 (peak of inflammation) and 24 h (onset of resolution) post zymosan and subjected to UPLC-MS-MS-based LM signature profiling; exudates were analyzed for LM biosynthetic proteins by Western blot; and plasma was analyzed for cytokines by ELISA. Results: Pro-inflammatory COX and 5-LOX products predominated in the peritoneum of males at 4 and 24 h post-zymosan, respectively, with slightly higher 12/15-LOX products in males after 24 h. Amounts of COX-2, 5-LOX/FLAP, and 15-LOX-1 were similar in exudates of males and females. In plasma of males, only moderate elevation of these LMs was apparent. At 4 h post-zymosan, gonadectomy strongly elevated 12/15-LOX products in the exudates of males, while in females, free PUFA and LOX products were rather impaired. In plasma, gonadectomy impaired most LMs in both sexes at 4 h with rather up-regulatory effects at 24 h. Finally, elevated 15-LOX-1 protein was evident in exudates of males at 24 h which was impaired by orchiectomy without the striking impact of gonadectomy on other enzymes in both sexes. Conclusions: Our results reveal obvious sex differences and roles of sex hormones in LM biosynthetic networks in acute self-resolving inflammation in mice, with several preponderances in males that appear under the control of androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Troisi
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Simona Pace
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Paul M. Jordan
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Katharina P. L. Meyer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Rossella Bilancia
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Armando Ialenti
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Borrelli
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta Rossi
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lidia Sautebin
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Charles N. Serhan
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesia, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Oliver Werz
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Jena, Germany,*Correspondence: Oliver Werz,
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Shepherd R, Cheung AS, Pang K, Saffery R, Novakovic B. Sexual Dimorphism in Innate Immunity: The Role of Sex Hormones and Epigenetics. Front Immunol 2021; 11:604000. [PMID: 33584674 PMCID: PMC7873844 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.604000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual dimorphism refers to differences between biological sexes that extend beyond sexual characteristics. In humans, sexual dimorphism in the immune response has been well demonstrated, with females exhibiting lower infection rates than males for a variety of bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens. There is also a substantially increased incidence of autoimmune disease in females compared to males. Together, these trends indicate that females have a heightened immune reactogenicity to both self and non-self-molecular patterns. However, the molecular mechanisms driving the sexually dimorphic immune response are not fully understood. The female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, as well as the male androgens, such as testosterone, elicit direct effects on the function and inflammatory capacity of immune cells. Several studies have identified a sex-specific transcriptome and methylome, independent of the well-described phenomenon of X-chromosome inactivation, suggesting that sexual dimorphism also occurs at the epigenetic level. Moreover, distinct alterations to the transcriptome and epigenetic landscape occur in synchrony with periods of hormonal change, such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and exogenous hormone therapy. These changes are also mirrored by changes in immune cell function. This review will outline the evidence for sex hormones and pregnancy-associated hormones as drivers of epigenetic change, and how this may contribute to the sexual dimorphism. Determining the effects of sex hormones on innate immune function is important for understanding sexually dimorphic autoimmune diseases, sex-specific responses to pathogens and vaccines, and how innate immunity is altered during periods of hormonal change (endogenous or exogenous).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Shepherd
- Epigenetics Group, Infection and Immunity Theme, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ada S. Cheung
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Ken Pang
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Brain and Mitochondrial Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Inflammation Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard Saffery
- Epigenetics Group, Infection and Immunity Theme, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Boris Novakovic
- Epigenetics Group, Infection and Immunity Theme, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Pace S, Werz O. Impact of Androgens on Inflammation-Related Lipid Mediator Biosynthesis in Innate Immune Cells. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1356. [PMID: 32714332 PMCID: PMC7344291 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, allergic rhinitis and many other disorders related to an aberrant immune response have a higher incidence and severity in women than in men. Emerging evidences from scientific studies indicate that the activity of the immune system is superior in females and that androgens may act as “immunosuppressive” molecules with inhibitory effects on inflammatory reactions. Among the multiple factors that contribute to the inflammatory response, lipid mediators (LM), produced from polyunsaturated fatty acids, represent a class of bioactive small molecules with pivotal roles in the onset, maintenance and resolution of inflammation. LM encompass pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) that coexist in a tightly regulated balance necessary for the return to homeostasis. Innate immune cells including neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages possess high capacities to generate distinct LM. In the last decades it became more and more evident that sex represents an important variable in the regulation of inflammation where sex hormones play crucial roles. Recent findings showed that the biosynthesis of inflammation-related LM is sex-biased and that androgens impact LM formation with consequences not only for pathophysiology but also for pharmacotherapy. Here, we review the modulation of the inflammatory response by sex and androgens with a specific focus on LM pathways. In particular, we highlight the impact of androgens on the biosynthetic pathway of inflammation-related eicosanoids in innate immune cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Pace
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Oliver Werz
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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Emerging Roles of 5-Lipoxygenase Phosphorylation in Inflammation and Cell Death. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:2749173. [PMID: 31871543 PMCID: PMC6906800 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2749173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
5-Lipoxygenase (ALOX5) is an iron-containing and nonheme dioxygenase that catalyzes the peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid. ALOX5 is the rate-limiting enzyme for the biosynthesis of leukotrienes, a family of proinflammatory lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid. ALOX5 also make great contributions to mediating lipid peroxidation. In recent years, it has been discovered that ALOX5 plays a central role in cell death including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, a newly discovered type of cell death. According to the previous studies, ALOX5 can regulate cell death in two ways: one is inflammation and the other is lipid peroxidation. Meanwhile, it has been shown that ALOX5 activity is regulated by several factors including protein phosphorylation, ALOX5-interactng protein, redox state, and metal ions such as iron and calcium. In this review, we aim to summarize the knowledge on the emerging roles of ALOX5 protein phosphorylation in the regulation of cell death and inflammation in order to explore a potential target for human diseases.
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Pace S, Sautebin L, Werz O. Sex-biased eicosanoid biology: Impact for sex differences in inflammation and consequences for pharmacotherapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2017. [PMID: 28647490 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.06.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The incidence, severity and progression of autoimmune diseases (e.g. scleroderma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis) and certain inflammatory diseases (e.g. asthma) are sex-biased where these pathologies dominate in women. However, other immune disorders such as sepsis, post-surgery infections and gout display higher incidence and severity in men. The molecular and cellular basis underlying this sex dimorphism remains incompletely elucidated but may provide important insights for sex-specific pharmacotherapy. Nevertheless, the sex as a variable in biochemical and preclinical research on inflammation is often neglected. Thus, respective animal studies are routinely performed with males, and experiments with isolated cells rarely report the sex of the donor. However, sex differences on the cellular level do exist, in particular related to inflammatory processes that prompt for sex-specific appreciation of inflammation research. For instance, the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids is sex-biased where leukotriene (LT) formation is under control of testosterone that regulates the subcellular localization of the key enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, with possible implications for gender-tailored pharmacotherapy of LT-related disorders (i.e. asthma). Moreover, prostaglandin (PG) production is sex-biased, and sex-dependent efficacy of aspirin was evident in several clinical trials. Here, we highlight the sex bias in eicosanoid biology possibly underlying the obvious sex disparities in inflammation, stimulating scientists to take sex into account when studying the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Pace
- Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 14, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Lidia Sautebin
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano, 49 - 80131 Naples, Italy.
| | - Oliver Werz
- Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Philosophenweg 14, D-07743 Jena, Germany.
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Franconi F, Rosano G, Basili S, Montella A, Campesi I. Human cells involved in atherosclerosis have a sex. Int J Cardiol 2016; 228:983-1001. [PMID: 27915217 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.11.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The influence of sex has been largely described in cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is a complex process that involves many cell types such as vessel cells, immune cells and endothelial progenitor cells; however, many, if not all, studies do not report the sex of the cells. This review focuses on sex differences in human cells involved in the atherosclerotic process, emphasizing the role of sex hormones. Furthermore, we report sex differences and issues related to the processes that determine the fate of the cells such as apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms. The analysis of the data reveals that there are still many gaps in our knowledge regarding sex influences in atherosclerosis, largely for the cell types that have not been well studied, stressing the urgent need for a clear definition of experimental conditions and the inclusion of both sexes in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Franconi
- Assessorato alle Politiche per la Persona of Basilicata Region, Potenza, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rosano
- Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Stefania Basili
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties - Research Center on Gender and Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Medicine (CEQUAM), Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Montella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Campesi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; Laboratory of Sex-Gender Medicine, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Osilo, Italy.
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Feridooni HA, MacDonald JK, Ghimire A, Pyle WG, Howlett SE. Acute exposure to progesterone attenuates cardiac contraction by modifying myofilament calcium sensitivity in the female mouse heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2016; 312:H46-H59. [PMID: 27793852 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00073.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Acute application of progesterone attenuates cardiac contraction, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We investigated whether progesterone modified contraction in isolated ventricular myocytes and identified the Ca2+ handling mechanisms involved in female C57BL/6 mice (6-9 mo; sodium pentobarbital anesthesia). Cells were field-stimulated (4 Hz; 37°C) and exposed to progesterone (0.001-10.0 μM) or vehicle (35 min). Ca2+ transients (fura-2) and cell shortening were recorded simultaneously. Maximal concentrations of progesterone inhibited peak contraction by 71.4% (IC50 = 160 ± 50 nM; n = 12) and slowed relaxation by 75.4%. By contrast, progesterone had no effect on amplitudes or time courses of underlying Ca2+ transients. Progesterone (1 µM) also abbreviated action potential duration. When the duration of depolarization was controlled by voltage-clamp, progesterone attenuated contraction and slowed relaxation but did not affect Ca2+ currents, Ca2+ transients, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) content, or fractional release of SR Ca2+ Actomyosin MgATPase activity was assayed in myofilaments from hearts perfused with progesterone (1 μM) or vehicle (35 min). While maximal responses to Ca2+ were not affected by progesterone, myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity was reduced (EC50 = 0.94 ± 0.01 µM for control, n = 7 vs. 1.13 ± 0.05 μM for progesterone, n = 6; P < 0.05) and progesterone increased phosphorylation of myosin binding protein C. The effects on contraction were inhibited by lonaprisan (progesterone receptor antagonist) and levosimendan (Ca2+ sensitizer). Unlike results in females, progesterone had no effect on contraction or myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in age-matched male mice. These data indicate that progesterone reduces myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in female hearts, which may exacerbate manifestations of cardiovascular disease late in pregnancy when progesterone levels are high. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We investigated myocardial effects of acute application of progesterone. In females, but not males, progesterone attenuates and slows cardiomyocyte contraction with no effect on calcium transients. Progesterone also reduces myofilament calcium sensitivity in female hearts. This may adversely affect heart function, especially when serum progesterone levels are high in pregnancy.Listen to this article's corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/acute-progesterone-modifies-cardiac-contraction/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirad A Feridooni
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Anjali Ghimire
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - W Glen Pyle
- Centre for Cardiovascular Investigations, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada; and
| | - Susan E Howlett
- Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; .,Department of Medicine (Geriatric Medicine), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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12
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Bishop CV, Xu F, Molskness TA, Stouffer RL, Hennebold JD. Dynamics of Immune Cell Types Within the Macaque Corpus Luteum During the Menstrual Cycle: Role of Progesterone. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:112. [PMID: 26400401 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.132753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of the current study was to characterize the immune cell types within the primate corpus luteum (CL). Luteal tissue was collected from rhesus females at discrete intervals during the luteal phase of the natural menstrual cycle. Dispersed cells were incubated with fluorescently labeled antibodies specific for the immune cell surface proteins CD11b (neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages), CD14 (monocytes/macrophages), CD16 (natural killer [NK] cells), CD20 (B-lymphocytes), and CD3epsilon (T-lymphocytes) for analysis by flow cytometry. Numbers of CD11b-positive (CD11b(+)) and CD14(+) cells increased significantly 3 to 4 days after serum progesterone (P4) concentrations declined below 0.3 ng/ml. CD16(+) cells were the most abundant immune cell type in CL during the mid and mid-late luteal phases and were 3-fold increased 3 to 4 days after serum P4 decreased to baseline levels. CD3epsilon(+) cells tended to increase 3 to 4 days after P4 decline. To determine whether immune cells were upregulated by the loss of luteotropic (LH) support or through loss of LH-dependent steroid milieu, monkeys were assigned to 4 groups: control (no treatment), the GnRH antagonist Antide, Antide plus synthetic progestin (R5020), or Antide plus the estrogen receptor agonists diarylpropionitrile (DPN)/propyl-pyrazole-triol (PPT) during the mid-late luteal phase. Antide treatment increased the numbers of CD11b(+) and CD14(+) cells, whereas progestin, but not estrogen, replacement suppressed the numbers of CD11b(+), CD14(+), and CD16(+) cells. Neither Antide nor steroid replacement altered numbers of CD3epsilon(+) cells. These data suggest that increased numbers of innate immune cells in primate CL after P4 synthesis declines play a role in onset of structural regression of primate CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecily V Bishop
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Fuhua Xu
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Theodore A Molskness
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Richard L Stouffer
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jon D Hennebold
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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