Sexual-dimorphism in human immune system aging.
Eladio J Márquez1,2, Cheng-Han Chung1, Radu Marches1
1The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA.
Nature Communications
|February 8, 2020
Summary
Immune system aging differs between men and women, with distinct changes in T-cells, B-cells, and monocytes. These sex-specific immune aging patterns emerge at different life stages.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Genomics
Background:
- Sex differences influence health and lifespan, but their impact on immune system aging remains unclear.
- Understanding sex-based immune aging is crucial for addressing health disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of sex in the aging of the peripheral immune system.
- To characterize age- and sex-related changes in immune cell epigenomes and functions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 172 healthy adults (ages 22-93).
- Utilized ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, and flow cytometry to assess epigenomic and cellular phenotypes.
- Investigated age-related changes and sex-specific differences in immune cell function.
Main Results:
- Identified a common epigenomic signature of aging, including decreased naive T-cells and increased monocyte/cytotoxic cell activity.
- Observed greater age-related immune changes in men, including a male-specific decline in B-cell loci.
- Found distinct age-related immune trajectories, with accelerated and stronger changes in men, particularly after age 65, showing higher innate/pro-inflammatory and lower adaptive activity.
Conclusions:
- Sex significantly modulates immune system aging, leading to divergent immune phenotypes in older adults.
- Epigenomic and functional immune changes associated with aging manifest differently between males and females.
- These findings provide a foundation for future research into sex-specific immune aging and health outcomes.
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