Speaker Credentials
Other
Speaker Credentials
BS
College
Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, DO
Medical Specialty
Pathology
Format
Poster
Start Date
November 2024
End Date
November 2024
Track
1
Abstract
Objectives The main objectives of this research proposal are to evaluate sex differences in circulating immune cells gene expression in GWI patients in response to stress modeled by exercise challenge, and sex differences in onset and progression of GWI. Background The underlying mechanisms associated with the onset and progression of GWI, a condition characterized by symptoms such as easy fatigability, memory problems, muscle and joint pain, gastrointestinal issues, neurological problems, and hormonal imbalance remains unclear. Methods We evaluated differentially expressed genes (DEG) (fold change ≥ 1.5, FDR ≤ 0.1) by RNA-seq in circulating lymphocytes of 20 GWI female and male patients, and 40 sex-, age- and BMI-matched healthy controls (HC) at T0 (baseline), T1 ( maximal exertion) and T2 (4 hours after T1). After removing genes from sex chromosomes, analysis was done separately in men and women between GWI patients and HC at each time point and in response to exercise (between time points for each group). Results The largest difference in gene expression was at the recovery time point (T2vsT1). At these time points 96 DEGs were the same in men and women, 578 were only in women, and 128 only in men. Functional analysis revealed that the pathways of greatest significance were HCMV events, oxidative stress induced senescence, negative regulation of apoptotic signaling and type II interferon production. Conclusion Identification of sex-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets of GWI can provide insight into sex-specific disease onset and progression, which will lead to optimal therapeutic intervention for such challenging disease. Grants This study was funded by the W81XWH-17-1-0604 grant from CDMRP (Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs)
Sex-specific changes in gene expression in response to stress in individuals with Gulf War Illness
Objectives The main objectives of this research proposal are to evaluate sex differences in circulating immune cells gene expression in GWI patients in response to stress modeled by exercise challenge, and sex differences in onset and progression of GWI. Background The underlying mechanisms associated with the onset and progression of GWI, a condition characterized by symptoms such as easy fatigability, memory problems, muscle and joint pain, gastrointestinal issues, neurological problems, and hormonal imbalance remains unclear. Methods We evaluated differentially expressed genes (DEG) (fold change ≥ 1.5, FDR ≤ 0.1) by RNA-seq in circulating lymphocytes of 20 GWI female and male patients, and 40 sex-, age- and BMI-matched healthy controls (HC) at T0 (baseline), T1 ( maximal exertion) and T2 (4 hours after T1). After removing genes from sex chromosomes, analysis was done separately in men and women between GWI patients and HC at each time point and in response to exercise (between time points for each group). Results The largest difference in gene expression was at the recovery time point (T2vsT1). At these time points 96 DEGs were the same in men and women, 578 were only in women, and 128 only in men. Functional analysis revealed that the pathways of greatest significance were HCMV events, oxidative stress induced senescence, negative regulation of apoptotic signaling and type II interferon production. Conclusion Identification of sex-specific biomarkers and therapeutic targets of GWI can provide insight into sex-specific disease onset and progression, which will lead to optimal therapeutic intervention for such challenging disease. Grants This study was funded by the W81XWH-17-1-0604 grant from CDMRP (Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs)