May 5, 2023 02:19 AM
https://sciencenorway.no/covid19-disease...lu/2191511
EXCERPT: . . . The differences may have to do with the fact that women have two X chromosomes and men one. Hormones can also play a role. In addition, lifestyle might have something to do with it.
In a new study from 2023, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) uncovered a possible difference between the immune systems of men and women. This might help to explain gender differences in how men and women react to viral infections. The results have been published in Nature Immunology.
Researchers have studied the significance of the gene and protein UTX. Women and female mice have an extra copy of this gene because the gene is on the X chromosome, which women have two of.
Erik Dissen is a professor and immunologist at the University of Oslo. He says that in women the genes in one X chromosome are switched off, called X-chromosome inactivation. “One X chromosome is turned off. Each cell chooses one or the other early in foetal life, and this choice is inherited when the cells divide further in the body.”
However, not the entire X chromosome is turned off. In humans, about 20 percent remains active. Women have a double dose of these genes.
The researchers at UCLA found that the UTX gene and the protein it codes for are important for the function of natural killer cells. Natural killer cells, or NK cells, are part of our innate immune system – the first line of defence against invaders in the body. NK cells can kill cancer cells or cells infected by viruses.
Scientists have known that men often have more natural killer cells than women. One would therefore imagine that men have a better defence against viruses. But that doesn't seem to be the case.
The new study comes with a possible explanation.
Since women have double the UTX gene, they have more of the UTX protein in their natural killer cells. The experiments in the study indicate that a double dose of UTX means that despite fewer of these cells, they are better able to protect against viruses.
“It turns out that women have more UTX in their NK cells than men, which allows them to fight viral infections more efficiently,” Dr. Maureen Su, who participated in the study, said in a press release... (MORE - missing details)
EXCERPT: . . . The differences may have to do with the fact that women have two X chromosomes and men one. Hormones can also play a role. In addition, lifestyle might have something to do with it.
In a new study from 2023, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) uncovered a possible difference between the immune systems of men and women. This might help to explain gender differences in how men and women react to viral infections. The results have been published in Nature Immunology.
Researchers have studied the significance of the gene and protein UTX. Women and female mice have an extra copy of this gene because the gene is on the X chromosome, which women have two of.
Erik Dissen is a professor and immunologist at the University of Oslo. He says that in women the genes in one X chromosome are switched off, called X-chromosome inactivation. “One X chromosome is turned off. Each cell chooses one or the other early in foetal life, and this choice is inherited when the cells divide further in the body.”
However, not the entire X chromosome is turned off. In humans, about 20 percent remains active. Women have a double dose of these genes.
The researchers at UCLA found that the UTX gene and the protein it codes for are important for the function of natural killer cells. Natural killer cells, or NK cells, are part of our innate immune system – the first line of defence against invaders in the body. NK cells can kill cancer cells or cells infected by viruses.
Scientists have known that men often have more natural killer cells than women. One would therefore imagine that men have a better defence against viruses. But that doesn't seem to be the case.
The new study comes with a possible explanation.
Since women have double the UTX gene, they have more of the UTX protein in their natural killer cells. The experiments in the study indicate that a double dose of UTX means that despite fewer of these cells, they are better able to protect against viruses.
“It turns out that women have more UTX in their NK cells than men, which allows them to fight viral infections more efficiently,” Dr. Maureen Su, who participated in the study, said in a press release... (MORE - missing details)