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Project description:Sexual dimorphism in kidney injury markers, such as Klotho, is frequently underestimated or disregarded, as most of the preclinical research is done in male animals. Klotho is well-linked to renal health and its deletion in mice results in a severe accelerated aging-like phenotype and premature death. Here, we identified candidate Klotho enhancers and discovered their function using mice carrying deletions in the enhancer loci. Candidate Klotho enhancers were deleted using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Warm ischemia-reperfusion surgery (IRI) was performed bilaterally to induce acute kidney injury and unilaterally in a fibrosis model. Using ChIP-seq and RNA-seq, we analyzed renal chromatin features and gene expression. ELISA and colorimetric assays were used to measure serum FGF23 and serum component levels. Removal of the enhancer caused more substantial reduction in Klotho mRNA levels in female mice compared to males (90 vs. 50%), supported by gene promoter marks remaining more pronounced in males. Weight, lifespan, and fertility of mice lacking the enhancers were not impacted. Only male mutant mice displayed higher Havcr1 expression after IRI than controls (mean 1048 vs. 231.4, p=0.0016). 28 days after unilateral IRI, only males displayed increased fibrosis markers, but with no difference between genotypes. Our findings reveal sexual dimorphism of Klotho gene expression and its enhancer regulation. Only male mutant mice were more susceptible to acute injury and the enhancer deletion had no impact on fibrosis. Additional investigation into the mechanisms governing Klotho regulation is imperative to reassess its effectiveness as a kidney injury marker.
2024-04-04 | GSE243944 | GEO
Project description:Sexual dimorphism in kidney injury markers, such as Klotho, is frequently underestimated or disregarded, as most of the preclinical research is done in male animals. Klotho is well-linked to renal health and its deletion in mice results in a severe accelerated aging-like phenotype and premature death. Here, we identified candidate Klotho enhancers and discovered their function using mice carrying deletions in the enhancer loci. Candidate Klotho enhancers were deleted using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Warm ischemia-reperfusion surgery (IRI) was performed bilaterally to induce acute kidney injury and unilaterally in a fibrosis model. Using ChIP-seq and RNA-seq, we analyzed renal chromatin features and gene expression. ELISA and colorimetric assays were used to measure serum FGF23 and serum component levels. Removal of the enhancer caused more substantial reduction in Klotho mRNA levels in female mice compared to males (90 vs. 50%), supported by gene promoter marks remaining more pronounced in males. Weight, lifespan, and fertility of mice lacking the enhancers were not impacted. Only male mutant mice displayed higher Havcr1 expression after IRI than controls (mean 1048 vs. 231.4, p=0.0016). 28 days after unilateral IRI, only males displayed increased fibrosis markers, but with no difference between genotypes. Our findings reveal sexual dimorphism of Klotho gene expression and its enhancer regulation. Only male mutant mice were more susceptible to acute injury and the enhancer deletion had no impact on fibrosis. Additional investigation into the mechanisms governing Klotho regulation is imperative to reassess its effectiveness as a kidney injury marker.
2024-04-04 | GSE243945 | GEO
Project description:Sexual dimorphism in kidney injury markers, such as Klotho, is frequently underestimated or disregarded, as most of the preclinical research is done in male animals. Klotho is well-linked to renal health and its deletion in mice results in a severe accelerated aging-like phenotype and premature death. Here, we identified candidate Klotho enhancers and discovered their function using mice carrying deletions in the enhancer loci. Candidate Klotho enhancers were deleted using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Warm ischemia-reperfusion surgery (IRI) was performed bilaterally to induce acute kidney injury and unilaterally in a fibrosis model. Using ChIP-seq and RNA-seq, we analyzed renal chromatin features and gene expression. ELISA and colorimetric assays were used to measure serum FGF23 and serum component levels. Removal of the enhancer caused more substantial reduction in Klotho mRNA levels in female mice compared to males (90 vs. 50%), supported by gene promoter marks remaining more pronounced in males. Weight, lifespan, and fertility of mice lacking the enhancers were not impacted. Only male mutant mice displayed higher Havcr1 expression after IRI than controls (mean 1048 vs. 231.4, p=0.0016). 28 days after unilateral IRI, only males displayed increased fibrosis markers, but with no difference between genotypes. Our findings reveal sexual dimorphism of Klotho gene expression and its enhancer regulation. Only male mutant mice were more susceptible to acute injury and the enhancer deletion had no impact on fibrosis. Additional investigation into the mechanisms governing Klotho regulation is imperative to reassess its effectiveness as a kidney injury marker.
2024-04-04 | GSE255885 | GEO
Project description:IntroductionThe outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) severely impacted global health and economic status. The native receptor-ligand interaction of Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and S protein induces host cell pathogenesis via immunosuppression.Material and methodsThe emerging evidence reports the sex disparity in Covid-19 induced mortality rate which affects abundantly men population. Although the biological interaction of Covid-19 with receptor upregulates the viral genome protein interactions and initiates the predictive multiorgan failure followed by acute kidney injury (AKI) in Covid-19 infected male population.ConclusionBesides, the knowledge and lessons learned from the study depict that cellular and molecular links may explain the risk and severity of Covid-19 and AKI in the male population and lead to management of Covid-19 induced AKI. Therefore, this review explored the pathways associated with the pathogenesis of two diseased conditions with sex disparity.
| S-EPMC8898193 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Klotho and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)-23 were recently postulated as candidate biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets in acute kidney injury (AKI). We examined whether urine Klotho and serum intact FGF23 levels were differentially and independently associated with major adverse kidney events (MAKE) in critically ill patients with and without AKI. Single-center, prospective, case-control study. ICU in a tertiary medical center. 54 AKI patients and 52 controls without AKI admitted to the ICU. None. AKI was defined by KDIGO criteria and included only AKI stage ≥2. Controls were matched by age, gender, and baseline eGFR. Paired serum and urine samples were obtained 24-48h after AKI diagnosis (cases) or ICU admission (controls). The primary outcome was 90-day MAKE, which was the composite of all-cause death, dependence on renal replacement therapy or a 50% or higher decrease in eGFR from baseline. Forty-four (41.5%) patients developed MAKE-90. Patients who developed MAKE-90 had more comorbidity, higher acuity of illness scores and more prevalent AKI. Levels of urine Klotho adjusted by creatinine (Cr) were lower and serum intact FGF23 levels were higher in AKI patients vs. ICU controls. In adjusted models, the highest vs. lowest tertile of urine Klotho/Cr was independently associated with an overall 95% lower risk of MAKE-90 (81% lower risk in patients with AKI). The highest vs. lowest tertile of serum intact FGF23 was associated with >300% higher risk of MAKE-90. Urine Klotho/Cr levels were significantly lower and serum intact FGF23 levels significantly higher in critically ill patients with AKI vs. matched-controls without AKI. When measured in the first 48h of ICU admission or AKI diagnosis, urine Klotho/Cr independently associated with major adverse kidney events, particularly in patients with AKI. These results show promise for testing these biomarkers -individually or in combination- as part of novel risk-prediction models of renal outcomes in the ICU.
| S-EPMC7051168 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The activation of resident microglial cells, alongside the infiltration of peripheral macrophages, are key neuroinflammatory responses to traumatic brain injury (TBI) that are directly associated with neuronal death. Sexual disparities in response to TBI have been previously reported; however it is unclear whether a sex difference exists in neuroinflammatory progression after TBI. We exposed male and female mice to moderate-to-severe controlled cortical impact injury and studied glial cell activation in the acute and chronic stages of TBI using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization analysis. We found that the sex response was completely divergent up to 7 days postinjury. TBI caused a rapid and pronounced cortical microglia/macrophage activation in male mice with a prominent activated phenotype that produced both pro- (IL-1β and TNFα) and anti-inflammatory (Arg1 and TGFβ) cytokines with a single-phase, sustained peak from 1 to 7 days. In contrast, TBI caused a less robust microglia/macrophage phenotype in females with biphasic pro-inflammatory response peaks at 4 h and 7 days, and a delayed anti-inflammatory mRNA peak at 30 days. We further report that female mice were protected against acute cell loss after TBI, with male mice demonstrating enhanced astrogliosis, neuronal death, and increased lesion volume through 7 days post-TBI. Collectively, these findings indicate that TBI leads to a more aggressive neuroinflammatory profile in male compared with female mice during the acute and subacute phases postinjury. Understanding how sex affects the course of neuroinflammation following brain injury is a vital step toward developing personalized and effective treatments for TBI.
| S-EPMC5609840 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Renal Klotho controls mineral metabolism by directly modulating tubular reabsorption of phosphate and calcium and by acting as a co-receptor for the phosphaturic and vitamin D-regulating hormone fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23). Klotho null mice have a markedly abnormal phenotype. We sought to determine effects of renal-specific and partial deletion of Klotho to facilitate investigation of its roles in health and disease. We generated a mouse model with partial deletion of Klotho in distal tubular segments (Ksp-KL(-/-)). In contrast to Klotho null mice, Ksp-KL(-/-) mice were fertile, had a normal gross phenotype, and did not have vascular or tubular calcification on renal histology. However, Ksp-KL(-/-) mice were hyperphosphatemic with elevated FGF23 levels and abundant expression of the sodium-phosphate cotransporter Npt2a at the brush border membrane. Serum calcium and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) levels were normal but parathyroid hormone levels were decreased. TRPV5 protein was reduced with a parallel mild increase in urinary calcium excretion. Renal expression of vitamin D regulatory enzymes and vitamin D receptor was higher in Ksp-KL(-/-) mice than controls, suggesting increased turnover of vitamin D metabolites and a functional increase in vitamin D signaling. There was a threshold effect of residual renal Klotho expression on FGF23: deletion of >70% of Klotho resulted in FGF23 levels 30-250 times higher than in wild-type mice. A subgroup of Ksp-KL(-/-) mice with normal phosphate levels had elevated FGF23, suggesting a Klotho-derived renal-bone feedback loop. Taken together, renal FGF23-Klotho signaling, which is disrupted in CKD, is essential for homeostatic control of mineral metabolism.
| S-EPMC3458458 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Alcoholic liver disease occurs due to chronic, heavy drinking and is driven both by metabolic alterations and immune cell activation. Women are at a higher risk than men for developing alcohol induced liver injury and this dimorphism is reflected in animal models of alcoholic liver disease. The importance of adipose tissue in alcoholic liver disease is emerging. Chronic alcohol consumption causes adipose tissue inflammation, which can influence liver injury. Sex differences in body fat composition are well known. However, it is still unclear if alcohol-induced adipose tissue inflammation occurs in a sex-dependent manner. Here we have employed the clinically relevant NIAAA model of chronic-binge alcohol consumption to investigate this sexual dimorphism. We report that female mice have greater liver injury than male mice despite lower alcohol consumption. Chronic-binge alcohol induces adipose tissue inflammation in vivo in female mice, which is illustrated by increased expression of TNF?, IL-6, and CCL2, compared to only IL-6 induction in male adipose tissue. Further, macrophage activation markers such as CD68 as well as the pro-inflammatory activation markers CD11b and CD11c were higher in female adipose tissue. Interestingly, alcohol induced expression of TLR2, 3, 4, and 9 in female but not male adipose tissue, without affecting the TLR adaptor, MyD88. Higher trends of serum endotoxin in female mice may likely contribute to adipose tissue inflammation. In vitro chronic alcohol-mediated sensitization of macrophages to endotoxin is independent of sex. In summary, we demonstrate for the first time that there is a sexual dimorphism in alcohol-induced adipose tissue inflammation and female mice exhibit a higher degree of inflammation than male mice.
| S-EPMC5053524 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Circulating bilirubin is associated with reduced serum cholesterol concentrations in humans and in hyperbilirubinaemic Gunn rats. However, mechanisms contributing to hypocholesterolaemia remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate cholesterol synthesis, transport and excretion in mutant Gunn rats. Adult Gunn and control rats were assessed for daily faecal sterol excretion using metabolic cages, and water was supplemented with [1-13 C]-acetate to determine cholesterol synthesis. Bile was collected to measure biliary lipid secretion. Serum and liver were collected for biochemical analysis and for gene/protein expression using RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. Additionally, serum was collected and analysed from juvenile rats. A significant interaction of sex, age and phenotype on circulating lipids was found with adult female Gunn rats reporting significantly lower cholesterol and phospholipids. Female Gunn rats also demonstrated elevated cholesterol synthesis, greater biliary lipid secretion and increased total faecal cholesterol and bile acid excretion. Furthermore, they possessed increased hepatic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and SREBP2 expression. In contrast, there were no changes to sterol metabolism in adult male Gunn rats. This is the first study to demonstrate elevated faecal sterol excretion in female hyperbilirubinaemic Gunn rats. Increased sterol excretion creates a negative intestinal sterol balance that is compensated for by increased cholesterol synthesis and LDL receptor expression. Therefore, reduced circulating cholesterol is potentially caused by increased hepatic uptake via the LDL receptor. Future studies are required to further evaluate the sexual dimorphism of this response and whether similar findings occur in females with benign unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia (Gilbert's syndrome). KEY POINTS: Female adult hyperbilirubinaemic (Gunn) rats demonstrated lower circulating cholesterol, corroborating human studies that report a negative association between bilirubin and cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, female Gunn rats had elevated sterol excretion creating a negative intestinal sterol balance that was compensated for by elevated cholesterol synthesis and increased hepatic low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor expression. Therefore, elevated LDL receptor expression potentially leads to reduced circulating cholesterol levels in female Gunn rats providing an explanation for the hypocholesterolaemia observed in humans with elevated bilirubin levels. This study also reports a novel interaction of sex with the hyperbilirubinaemic phenotype on sterol metabolism because changes were only reported in females and not in male Gunn rats. Future studies are required to further evaluate the sexual dimorphism of this response and whether similar findings occur in females with benign unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia (Gilbert's syndrome).
| S-EPMC9310728 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Here we reconstruct the evolutionary shift towards floral simulation in orchid mantises and suggest female predatory selection as the likely driving force behind the development of extreme sexual size dimorphism. Through analysis of body size data and phylogenetic modelling of trait evolution, we recovered an ancestral shift towards sexual dimorphisms in both size and appearance in a lineage of flower-associated praying mantises. Sedentary female flower mantises dramatically increased in size prior to a transition from camouflaged, ambush predation to a floral simulation strategy, gaining access to, and visually attracting, a novel resource: large pollinating insects. Male flower mantises, however, remained small and mobile to facilitate mate-finding and reproductive success, consistent with ancestral male life strategy. Although moderate sexual size dimorphisms are common in many arthropod lineages, the predominant explanation is female size increase for increased fecundity. However, sex-dependent selective pressures acting outside of female fecundity have been suggested as mechanisms behind niche dimorphisms. Our hypothesised role of predatory selection acting on females to generate both extreme sexual size dimorphism coupled with niche dimorphism is novel among arthropods.
| S-EPMC5131372 | biostudies-literature