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Ray JL, Postma B, Kendall RL, Ngo MD, Foo CX, Saunders B, Ronacher K, Gowdy KM, Holian A. Estrogen contributes to sex differences in M2a macrophages during multi-walled carbon nanotube-induced respiratory inflammation. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23350. [PMID: 38071600 PMCID: PMC10752389 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301571rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Lung diseases characterized by type 2 inflammation are reported to occur with a female bias in prevalence/severity in both humans and mice. This includes previous work examining multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-induced eosinophilic inflammation, in which a more exaggerated M2a phenotype was observed in female alveolar macrophages (AMs) compared to males. The mechanisms responsible for this sex difference in AM phenotype are still unclear, but estrogen receptor (ER) signaling is a likely contributor. Accordingly, male AMs downregulated ERα expression after MWCNT exposure while female AMs did not. Thus, ER antagonist Fulvestrant was administered prior to MWCNT instillation. In females, Fulvestrant significantly attenuated MWCNT-induced M2a gene expression and eosinophilia without affecting IL-33. In males, Fulvestrant did not affect eosinophil recruitment but reduced IL-33 and M2a genes compared to controls. Regulation of cholesterol efflux and oxysterol synthesis is a potential mechanism through which estrogen promotes the M2a phenotype. Levels of oxysterols 25-OHC and 7α,25-OHC were higher in the airways of MWCNT-exposed males compared to MWCNT-females, which corresponds with the lower IL-1β production and greater macrophage recruitment previously observed in males. Sex-based changes in cholesterol efflux transporters Abca1 and Abcg1 were also observed after MWCNT exposure with or without Fulvestrant. In vitro culture with estrogen decreased cellular cholesterol and increased the M2a response in female AMs, but did not affect cholesterol content in male AMs and reduced M2a polarization. These results reveal the modulation of (oxy)sterols as a potential mechanism through which estrogen signaling may regulate AM phenotype resulting in sex differences in downstream respiratory inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Ray
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Britten Postma
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Rebekah L. Kendall
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
| | - Minh Dao Ngo
- Mater Research Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Cheng Xiang Foo
- Mater Research Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brett Saunders
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Katharina Ronacher
- Mater Research Institute, Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Kymberly M. Gowdy
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrij Holian
- Center for Environmental Health Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, USA
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Shields CA, Wang X, Cornelius DC. Sex differences in cardiovascular response to sepsis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C458-C466. [PMID: 36571442 PMCID: PMC9902216 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00134.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased recognition of the importance of sex as a biological factor affecting disease and health. Many preclinical studies have suggested that males may experience a less favorable outcome in response to sepsis than females. The underlying mechanisms for these differences are still largely unknown but are thought to be related to the beneficial effects of estrogen. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive role of testosterone is also thought to contribute to the sex-dependent differences that are present in clinical sepsis. There are still significant knowledge gaps in this field. This mini-review will provide a brief overview of sex-dependent variables in relation to sepsis and the cardiovascular system. Preclinical animal models for sepsis research will also be discussed. The intent of this mini-review is to inspire interest for future considerations of sex-related variables in sepsis that should be addressed to increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms in sepsis-induced cardiovascular dysfunction for the identification of therapeutic targets and improved sepsis management and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corbin A Shields
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Xi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Denise C Cornelius
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
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