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A new study from the University of Southern California in the United States shows that the response of immune cells to pathogens varies greatly depending on gender and age
In this mouse experiment, men are more likely to be infected with sepsis than women
These are the key findings of a study published today in the journal Nature Aging
This research is of great significance to the study of diseases and treatment methods, especially the treatment of sepsis
"An important message is that with the advancement of personalized medicine, people are paying attention to small genetic differences, but we found that biological sex-the largest of all genetic differences-is actually a great predictor of immune response, but It is rarely taken into account," said Bérénice Benayoun, an assistant professor at the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California and the lead researcher of the study
Benayoun and her team focused on a type of cell called "neutrophils", which account for 50% to 70% of our white blood cells and are the key to fighting infection
Different defensive strategies
Neutrophils respond to infection in several different ways, such as phagocytosis and digestion of invading pathogens, or degranulation and secretion of proteins to destroy invaders
Another method discovered in 2004 is "NETosis", in which neutrophils discharge their own solidified DNA strands, or chromatin, which acts as a trap outside the cell
Benayoun and his colleagues found differences in neutrophil activity between young and old mice and between male and female mice
Benayoun said that high degranulation activity can cause damage to surrounding tissues, and these findings can explain why sepsis affects men more than women
"In sepsis, it's not bacteria that kill you; it's your response to bacteria," she pointed out
On the other hand, higher NETosis activity may help the body's immune system to attack healthy cells, Benayoun added
Benayoun said: "If you use mosquito nets without any reason, it can promote autoimmunity
Compared with men, with age, female neutrophils become more active
New resource for immune system research
Neutrophils have historically been difficult to study because they have a short life span, which lasts less than a day
.
The short lifespan of cells is spent as the first responder of the immune system, quickly capturing and destroying pathogens at the first signs of infection, and sacrificing themselves in the process
.
Applying machine learning techniques to data, the team has begun to identify genetic pathways involved in immune response regulation, which may explain why there is such a huge gender difference in immune system activity, also known as gender dimorphism
.
Benayoun pointed out that in the current pandemic, sex dimorphism in immunization has emerged: most severe cases and deaths of COVID-19 are men
.
Other literature suggests that sex hormones may play a role in immunity, and studying these interactions may lead scientists to discover new technologies to combat serious diseases
.
"If these differences are caused by hormonal effects on immune cells, then theoretically, you can try to intervene in early sepsis, perhaps using antiandrogens in the short term to reduce the response," Benayoun mused
.
"You can customize the medicine based on whether this patient has more androgens or this person has more estrogen
.
"