Sex Chromosomes and Gonadal Hormones Contribute to B Cell Antibody Responses in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
It is increasingly appreciated that B cell populations in the brain shift during aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), contributing to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. Though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, biological sex is likely a key regulator since differences in B cell antibody responses are one of the most well conserved sex differences in immunology. Sex differences in B…
Recent research highlights the role of B cell populations in the brain during aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), which contribute to neuroinflammation and cognitive decline. Although the exact mechanisms are still unknown, biological sex is believed to be a crucial factor due to the consistent sex differences observed in B cell antibody responses within the realm of immunology.
These sex differences in B cell subtypes and antibody classes are particularly important as they shape sexually dimorphic immune responses and influence disease susceptibility. Although numerous studies have investigated the impact of gonadal hormones on B cells, the effects of aging and AD pathology, as well as the influence of sex chromosomes, have received relatively little attention.
In this study, researchers analyzed B cell subtypes in both the brain and bloodstream of adult and 5xFAD mice using flow cytometry, and measured antibody levels in the cortical brain region using ELISAs. The findings revealed that sex differences, driven by both sex chromosomes and the gonadal hormone environment, primarily influenced antibody class-switching.
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