The immune system employs different immune cells to target infection and disease throughout the body. Immunologists, who study the immune system, have worked on therapies to get more of these cells to the site of infection and at a faster rate. Currently, it is still unclear how effectively the immune system operates in age- and sex-related research. A group at the University of Birmingham have demonstrated specific sex-related differences associated with the immune system in older female mice. This novel research introduces age and sex into the equation and will change the way we study the immune system and improve patient treatment.
A recent publication in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, by Dr. Myriam Chimen and colleagues found that age is a significant factor that determines cell movement to the major organs in the stomach cavity. More specifically, immune cells were not going to the site of infection, but “leaking” into the stomach cavity from blood vessels. This study has found a clear difference between sexes associated with immunity, as it was previously believed women’s immune system deteriorates faster compared to men. Chimen and colleagues have confirmed this long-standing belief through their work on immune system sex-related differences.
Chimen and colleagues show that the increased immune cell presence in the stomach cavity is from “leaky” blood vessels. “Leaky” is a term used to described blood vessels that do not maintain strong structural integrity. The idea of “leaky” blood vessels occurs in inflammatory diseases such as cancer. Cancer cells travel through the blood system and commonly “leak” out of the blood stream to other sites in the body. The trafficking of cells to other sites allows the spread of cancer throughout the body, further promoting tumor growth.
Chimen and colleagues also demonstrate that chronic inflammatory illness is more likely to affect women. Researchers found that aged female mice not only had increased immune cells, but proteins that elicit immune response in the stomach cavity. Researchers speculate increased inflammation in the stomach cavity may be the cause of this increased number of immune cells and proteins. However, it is reported that due to this influx of immune cells to the stomach cavity, the disease site does not get targeted by the immune system as effectively. The cause of immune cell influx in the stomach cavity is still unclear, but researcher speculate it is hormone driven. The increase in specific hormones may cause the integrity of blood vessels to deteriorate faster; however, more research is needed to determine the exact cause.
The researchers fail to identify the exact cause of sex-related differences in immunity but have shown there is a difference. Additionally, they report how the immune system responds in aged mice between the two sexes. The study clearly demonstrates how the immune system reacts to disease. The publication indicates further need for personalized medicine, the need to treat each patient specifically rather than generalizing treatment based on a population trends. Once the findings are confirmed in humans, physicians can more accurately treat patients and provide more effective care.
Publication, Journal of Leukocyte Biology, University of Birmingham, Myriam Chimen
