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Campesi I, Montella A, Franconi F. Human monocytes respond to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in a sex-dependent manner. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:580-588. [PMID: 34252202 PMCID: PMC9292909 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Monocytes play a critical role in inflammation and immune response, their activity being sex‐dependent. However, the basis of sex differences is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) effects on tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) release, autophagy, and chemotaxis in freshly isolated monocytes from healthy young men and women. In basal conditions, male and female monocytes had similar TNF‐α release, chemotaxis, and estrogen receptors (ER‐α) and ER‐β expression, while the LC3II/I ratio was significantly higher in males. LPS treatment induced qualitative and quantitative sex differences. It reduced autophagy and increased TNF‐α release only in male monocytes, while, chemotaxis was significantly influenced only in female cells. Moreover, it reduced the expression of ER‐α only in female cells, while ER‐β expression was reduced in both sexes, but more markedly in female cells. Finally, the interplay between LPS treatment and 17‐β‐estradiol (E2) was present only in female cells. Globally, these findings expand the concept that sex plays a role in regulating monocytes' functions, being sex differences cell‐ and parameter‐specific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Campesi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy.,Laboratorio Nazionale di Medicina e Farmacologia di Genere, Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture Biosistemi, Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea Montella
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | - Flavia Franconi
- Laboratorio Nazionale di Medicina e Farmacologia di Genere, Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture Biosistemi, Sassari, Italy
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Hebanowska A, Mierzejewska P, Braczko A. Effect of estradiol on enzymes of vascular extracellular nucleotide metabolism. Hormones (Athens) 2021; 20:111-117. [PMID: 32935303 PMCID: PMC7889668 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-020-00242-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Estrogens have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, promoting vasodilation, endothelial cells growth, relaxation, and regulation of blood pressure. Some of these effects could be associated with the purinergic system known for the control of vasodilation, inflammation, and platelet function. The aim of our study was the evaluation of ATP, AMP, and adenosine extracellular catabolism, catalyzed by ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (CD39), ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73), and ecto-adenosine deaminase (eADA) in mouse aortas. METHODS Extracellular hydrolysis of ATP, AMP, and adenosine was estimated on the aortic surface of 3-month-old female and male C57BL/6 J wild-type (WT) mice, in female WT mouse aortas incubated for 48 h in the presence or absence of 100 nM estradiol, and in WT female mouse and ApoE-/-LDL-R-/- aortas. The conversion of substrates to products was analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS We demonstrated significantly higher adenosine deamination rate in WT male vs. female mice (p = 0.041). We also noted the lower adenosine hydrolysis in aortas exposed to estradiol, as compared with the samples incubated in estradiol-free medium (p = 0.043). Finally, we observed that adenosine conversion to inosine was significantly higher on the surface of ApoE-/-LDL-R-/- aortas compared with WT mice (p = 0.001). No such effects were noted in ATP and AMP extracellular hydrolysis. CONCLUSION We conclude that estradiol inhibits the extracellular degradation of adenosine to inosine, which may be an element of its vascular protective effect, as it will lead to an increase in extracellular adenosine concentration. We can also assume that during the development of the atherosclerotic process, the protective role of estradiol in the regulation of adenosine degradation may be obscured by other pathogenic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Areta Hebanowska
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland.
| | | | - Alicja Braczko
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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Human Umbilical Cord: Information Mine in Sex-Specific Medicine. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11010052. [PMID: 33451112 PMCID: PMC7828611 DOI: 10.3390/life11010052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Biological differences between sexes should be considered in all stages of research, as sexual dimorphism starts in utero leading to sex-specific fetal programming. In numerous biomedical fields, there is still a lack of stratification by sex despite primary cultured cells retaining memory of the sex and of the donor. The sex of donors in biological research must be known because variations in cells and cellular components can be used as endpoints, biomarkers and/or targets of pharmacological studies. This selective review focuses on the current findings regarding sex differences observed in the umbilical cord, a widely used source of research samples, both in the blood and in the circulating cells, as well as in the different cellular models obtainable from it. Moreover, an overview on sex differences in fetal programming is reported. As it emerges that the sex variable is still often forgotten in experimental models, we suggest that it should be mandatory to adopt sex-oriented research, because only awareness of these issues can lead to innovative research.
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Zhang YF, Shan C, Wang Y, Qian LL, Jia DD, Zhang YF, Hao XD, Xu HM. Cardiovascular toxicity and mechanism of bisphenol A and emerging risk of bisphenol S. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 723:137952. [PMID: 32213405 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological and animal studies indicate that increased exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) induces various human cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, dilated cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. Bisphenol S (BPS), an alternative to BPA, is increasingly present in various consumer products and human bodies worldwide. Recently, emerging evidence has shown that BPS might be related to cardiovascular disorders. In this review, we present striking evidence of the correlation between BPA exposure and various CVDs, and show that a nonmonotonic dose-response curve (NMDRC) was common in studies of the CV effects of BPA in vivo. The CV impairment induced by low doses of BPA should be highlighted, especially during developmental exposure or during coexposure with other risk factors. Furthermore, we explored the possible underlying mechanisms of these effects-particularly nuclear receptor signaling, ion channels, and epigenetic mechanisms-and the possible participation of lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and cell signaling. As the potential risks of BPA exposure in humans are still noteworthy, studies of BPA in CVDs should be strengthened, especially with respect to the mechanisms, prevention and treatment. Moreover, the potential CV risk of BPS reported by in vivo studies calls for immediate epidemiological investigations and animal studies to reveal the relationships of BPS and other BPA alternatives with human CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Feng Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China.
| | - Chan Shan
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Li-Li Qian
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Dong-Dong Jia
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yi-Fei Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Xiao-Dan Hao
- Institute for Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Hai-Ming Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Management, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China.
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Franconi F, Campesi I, Romani A. Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil an Ally for Women's and Men's Cardiovascular Health? Cardiovasc Ther 2020; 2020:6719301. [PMID: 32454893 PMCID: PMC7212338 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6719301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Noncommunicable diseases are long-lasting and slowly progressive and are the leading causes of death and disability. They include cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) that are rising worldwide, with CVD being the leading cause of death in developed countries. Thus, there is a need to find new preventive and therapeutic approaches. Polyphenols seem to have cardioprotective properties; among them, polyphenols and/or minor polar compounds of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are attracting special interest. In consideration of numerous sex differences present in CVD and DM, in this narrative review, we applied "gender glasses." Globally, it emerges that olive oil and its derivatives exert some anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, modulate glucose metabolism, and ameliorate endothelial dysfunction. However, as in prescription drugs, also in this case there is an important gender bias because the majority of the preclinical studies are performed on male animals, and the sex of donors of cells is not often known; thus a sex/gender bias characterizes preclinical research. There are numerous clinical studies that seem to suggest the benefits of EVOO and its derivatives in CVD; however, these studies have numerous limitations, presenting also a considerable heterogeneity across the interventions. Among limitations, one of the most relevant in the era of personalized medicine, is the non-attention versus women that are few and, also when they are enrolled, sex analysis is lacking. Therefore, in our opinion, it is time to perform more long, extensive and lessheterogeneous trials enrolling both women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Franconi
- Laboratorio Nazionale sulla Farmacologia e Medicina di Genere, Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture Biosistemi, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Ilaria Campesi
- Laboratorio Nazionale sulla Farmacologia e Medicina di Genere, Istituto Nazionale Biostrutture Biosistemi, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università Degli Studi di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Annalisa Romani
- Laboratorio PHYTOLAB (Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, Food Supplement Technology and Analysis), DiSIA Università Degli Studi di Firenze, 50019 Florence, Italy
- Laboratorio di Qualità Delle Merci e Affidabilità di Prodotto, Università Degli Studi di Firenze, 59100 Florence, Italy
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Campesi I, Franconi F, Seghieri G, Meloni M. Sex-gender-related therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes. Pharmacol Res 2017; 119:195-207. [PMID: 28189784 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes is a chronic disease associated with micro- and macrovascular complications and is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes are among the most important causes of death in diabetic patients. Interestingly, several sex-gender differences have been reported to significantly impact in the pathophysiology of diabetes. In particular, sex-gender differences have been reported to affect diabetes epidemiology, risk factors, as well as cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes. This suggests that different therapeutic approaches are needed for managing diabetes-associated cardiovascular complications in men and women. In this review, we will discuss about the sex-gender differences that are known to impact on diabetes, mainly focusing on the cardiovascular complications associated with the disease. We will then discuss the therapeutic approaches for managing diabetes-associated cardiovascular complications and how differences in sex-gender can influence the existing therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Campesi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Flavia Franconi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy; Dipartimento Politiche della Persona, Regione Basilicata, Italy.
| | | | - Marco Meloni
- BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK.
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Mudrovcic N, Arefin S, Van Craenenbroeck AH, Kublickiene K. Endothelial maintenance in health and disease: Importance of sex differences. Pharmacol Res 2017; 119:48-60. [PMID: 28108363 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The vascular endothelium has emerged as more than just an inert monolayer of cells lining the vascular bed. It represents the interface between the blood stream and vessel wall, and has a strategic role in regulating vascular homeostasis by the release of vasoactive substances. Endothelial dysfunction contributes to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Recognition of sex-specific factors implicated in endothelial cell biology is important for the identification of clinically relevant preventive and/or therapeutic strategies. This review aims to give an overview of the recent advances in understanding the importance of sex specific observations in endothelial maintenance, both in healthy and diseased conditions. The female endothelium is highlighted in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome and pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, sex differences are explored in chronic kidney disease, which is currently appreciated as one of public health priorities. Overall, this review endorses integration of sex analysis in experimental and patient-oriented research in the exciting field of vascular biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neja Mudrovcic
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Samsul Arefin
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amaryllis H Van Craenenbroeck
- Department of Nephrology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karolina Kublickiene
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Clinical Science, Intervention & Technology, Division of Renal Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Gender Medicine, Department of Medicine-Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
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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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Barton M. Not lost in translation: Emerging clinical importance of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor GPER. Steroids 2016; 111:37-45. [PMID: 26921679 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2016.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It has been 20years that the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) was cloned as the orphan receptor GPR30 from multiple cellular sources, including vascular endothelial cells. Here, I will provide an overview of estrogen biology and the historical background leading to the discovery of rapid vascular estrogen signaling. I will also review the recent advances in the understanding of the mechanisms underlying GPER function, its role in physiology and disease, some of the currently available GPER-targeting drugs approved for clinical use such as SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators) and SERDs (selective estrogen receptor downregulators). Many of currently used drugs such as tamoxifen, raloxifene, or faslodex™/fulvestrant were discovered targeting GPER many years after they had been introduced to the clinics for entirely different purposes. This has important implications for the clinical use of these drugs and their modes of action, which I have termed 'reverse translational medicine'. In addition, environmental pollutants known as 'endocrine disruptors' have been found to bind to GPER. This article also discusses recent evidence in these areas as well as opportunities in translational clinical medicine and GPER research, including medical genetics, personalized medicine, prevention, and its theranostic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Barton
- Molecular Internal Medicine, University of Zürich, Switzerland.
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