To investigate the influence of biological sex on the transcriptional and epigenetic reprogramming of circulating neutrophils in COPD, highlighting its significance for understanding disease mechanisms.
Key Findings:
Sex is a major source of transcriptional variation in neutrophils, with implications for understanding COPD pathogenesis.
Male COPD neutrophils showed enrichment in interferon signaling and inflammatory networks, while female neutrophils exhibited programs related to autophagy, suggesting different disease mechanisms.
Male neutrophils had elevated plasma levels of inflammatory mediators such as CXCL8, TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-γ, and VEGF, indicating a stronger inflammatory response.
Interpretation:
COPD elicits a shared neutrophil transcriptional framework that is amplified through sex-specific epigenetic and inflammatory feedback, with potential implications for targeted therapies.
Limitations:
The study does not address the functional implications of the identified transcriptional and epigenetic changes.
Limited understanding of the specific roles of histone modifications in COPD beyond H3K27ac.
The need for longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of sex differences in COPD.
Conclusion:
The findings highlight the importance of considering biological sex in the development of precision therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases, paving the way for more effective treatment strategies.
by Barbara Mariotti, Sara Gasperini, Chiara Bracaglia, Carlo Frigenti, Giulia Sartori, Claudia di Chiara, Francesca Sangiovanni, Ernesto Crisafulli, Flavia Bazzoni
Older age, male sex, underweight status, reduced activities of daily living, and mild consciousness disturbance were associated with postextubation pneumonia in elective surgical patients.
