Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
B. Gegenhuber, M. Wu, R. Bronstein, J. Tollkuhn
Summary: Oestradiol establishes neural sex differences and modulates gene expression program in the mouse brain, thereby playing a role in brain development, behavior and disease.
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Merrick S. Fallah, Dora Szarics, Clara M. Robson, James H. Eubanks
Summary: Epigenetic processes play a critical role in regulating gene expression patterns in neurodevelopment, including the dynamic network of post-translational histone modifications. Mutations in histone-modifying enzymes can disrupt this system and lead to developmental consequences. This review examines neurodevelopmental conditions associated with histone methylation and acetylation, discussing clinical phenotypes, genetic bases, and model systems for studying pathological mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Jinming Han, Yueshan Fan, Kai Zhou, Klas Blomgren, Robert A. Harris
Summary: There are inherent structural and functional differences in the central nervous systems of females and males, including sex-specific differences in genetic, epigenetic, and hormonal factors. Microglia, as principal resident macrophages in the CNS, have recently been found to exhibit sex-dependent structural and functional differences, which has implications for the design of sex- and microglia-specific therapeutic approaches for CNS diseases.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica L. MacDonald, Suzanne Tharin, Sarah E. Hall
Summary: Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in establishing cellular identity and facilitating the brain's adaptive responses to environmental changes.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Ayako Kawatake-Kuno, Toshiya Murai, Shusaku Uchida
Summary: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with aberrant neuroplasticity mediated by epigenetic dysregulation playing a crucial role in its development. Sex-related differences in the pathophysiology of MDD and response to antidepressants have also been observed. Research suggests that sex-dependent epigenetic alterations may influence susceptibility to stress and depression.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Olivia A. Grant, Yucheng Wang, Meena Kumari, Nicolae Radu Zabet, Leonard Schalkwyk
Summary: This study analyzed for the first time the autosomal sex differences in DNA methylation using human whole blood samples. The researchers identified and validated 396 sex-associated differentially methylated CpG sites, with the majority being female-biased CpGs. They also discovered 266 significant sex-associated differentially methylated regions overlapping genes, including novel genes.
CLINICAL EPIGENETICS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jie Li, Wenting Hao, Chunying Fu, Chengchao Zhou, Dongshan Zhu
Summary: This study found that postmenopausal women are more likely to experience memory impairment compared to men, particularly in objective memory. Female reproductive factors such as age at menarche and menopause may influence the risk of memory problems.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Ryan W. Logan, Xiangning Xue, Kyle D. Ketchesin, Gabriel Hoffman, Panos Roussos, George Tseng, Colleen A. McClung, Marianne L. Seney
Summary: The study found similar amplitude and phase of diurnal rhythms in canonical circadian genes in both sexes, but significant sex differences in transcriptional rhythms when the analyses were expanded to the entire transcriptome. There were nearly twice as many rhythmic transcripts in the DLPFC in males and nearly 4 times as many in the ACC in females, suggesting a sex-specific diurnal rhythm in synaptic transmission in the ACC.
BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Urzula Franco-Enzastiga, Guadalupe Garcia, Janet Murbartian, Rodrigo Gonzalez-Barrios, Ana B. Salinas-Abarca, Beatriz Sanchez-Hernandez, Diana Tavares-Ferreira, Luis A. Herrera, Paulino Barragan-Iglesias, Rodolfo Delgado-Lezama, Theodore J. Price, Vinicio Granados-Soto
Summary: This study examined the sexual dimorphism in neuropathic rodents regarding alpha(5)-GABA(A) receptors, revealing an increase in receptor expression in DRG of nerve-injured females and a decrease in males. Ovariectomy abolished the antiallodynic effect of L-655,708 in females, which was restored by estradiol supplementation. In males, DNA methylation inhibition increased the receptor expression and enabled the antinociceptive effect, suggesting a potential treatment target for chronic pain in females.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Huan Li, Weibo Jiang, Shui Liu, Manshi Yang, Siyuan Chen, Yihan Pan, Mengying Cui
Summary: Sex differences in cancer incidence and survival are constant and pronounced globally, and researchers have started focusing on the molecular mechanisms behind these differences. Besides sex hormones, genetic and molecular pathways also play a role in cancer development and treatment response. Clarifying the essential mechanisms of gender differences will guide the clinical treatment of both sexes in cancer therapy.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Lamis Saad, Jean Zwiller, Andries Kalsbeek, Patrick Anglard
Summary: Studies suggest a possible connection between circadian rhythms and addiction, but the functional mechanism behind this interaction remains unclear and requires further investigation. The circadian timing system and addiction may be linked through epigenetic regulation, presenting a new avenue for research.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Christiane Gaertner, Joerg Fallmann, Peter F. Stadler, Thorsten Kaiser, Sarah J. Berkemer
Summary: In this study, we analyze the expression differences in whole blood transcriptomics between female and male CF patients to determine the pathways related to sex-biased genes and evaluate their potential influence on sex-specific effects in CF patients.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jaydeep Sidhaye, Philipp Trepte, Natalie Sepke, Maria Novatchkova, Michael Schutzbier, Gerhard Duernberger, Karl Mechtler, Juergen A. Knoblich
Summary: By analyzing the transcriptome and epigenome during human corticogenesis, important gene regulatory networks have been identified. Through the use of human brain organoids, specific transcriptome and proteome analyses were conducted, revealing gene expression modules during cortical development. One module involving mTOR-mediated regulation of translation was investigated, showing that partial inhibition of ribosomal genes translation prevents premature translation of differentiation markers, crucial for maintaining the accuracy of cortical development.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Reegan A. J. Miller, Abigael P. Williams, Susan Kovats
Summary: Epidemiological studies have shown sex differences in the incidence and morbidity of respiratory virus infections, which may be related to differences in the immune response. Animal models also exhibit sex differences in immunity and morbidity, suggesting variations in specific immune mechanisms. Recent research has revealed intrinsic sex differences in immune cell transcriptomes, epigenomes, and proteomes, which may regulate human immunity during viral infections. Understanding the role of sex steroids, X chromosome complement, and immune cell regulation can help explain the significant sex differences in immunity to respiratory pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Luca T. Giurgea, Adriana Cervantes-Medina, Kathie-Anne Walters, Kelsey Scherler, Alison Han, Lindsay M. Czajkowski, Holly Ann Baus, Sally Hunsberger, Sabra L. Klein, John C. Kash, Jeffery K. Taubenberger, Matthew J. Memoli
Summary: In this study, it was found that females were more likely to have symptoms and a higher number of symptoms than males after influenza challenge. Neuraminidase inhibition (NAI) titers were found to be predictive of all outcomes of interest.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)