Sex differences in the CNS during disease

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Numerous neurological diseases are characterized by a sex difference. The neuropathology often includes infiltration of immune cells, with this immune infiltration potentially contributing to disease pathogenesis. Since it is known that sex differences exist in the immune system, this confounds investigations into sex differences in the CNS. Thus, we will use bone marrow chimeras to investigate sex differences in the CNS. By varying sex chromosomes or sex hormones in hosts reconstituted with a common immune system, one can ascertain the role of sex chromosomes and sex hormones on the brain response to injury. We will use one of the most inflammatory of all CNS disease models, the multiple sclerosis model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), to show applicability of this approach to a variety of neurological diseases. We will employ mice which differ in the complement of sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY), while having the same gonadal type, to determine the effect of sex chromosomes in the absence of confounding effects of exposure to different types of sex hormones. Specifically, in aim #1 we will determine whether the greater severity of EAE in XX, as compared to XY-, mice is due to sex chromosome effects in the CNS. In aim #2, we will determine if the sex chromosome effect in the CNS during EAE is due to the dose of X or Y genes. Finally in aim #3, we will use mice which differ in gonadal type, female vs. male, while having the same sex chromosome complement (XX vs. XX Sry) to determine whether the greater severity of EAE in female, as compared to male, mice is due to sex hormone effects in the CNS. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This is an exploratory (R21) grant to determine the effect of sex chromosomes and sex hormones on the central nervous system's response to an immune attack using the multiple sclerosis model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. This proposal will establish a model system to determine the effect of sex chromosomes and sex hormones on a variety of neurological diseases characterized by a sex difference.