Molecular and Biological Mechanisms Underlying Gender Differences in COVID-19 Severity and Mortality

Frontiers in Immunology

Hadi M. Yassine¹  Ali H. Eid²  Zena Wehbe⁴  Manal Fardoun⁴  Safaa Hisham Hammoud⁵  Ahmed F. El-Yazbi⁷ 

[1] Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar;Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, Qatar University Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar;Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Qatar University Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar;Department of Biology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon;Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon;Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon;Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt;

关键词: COVID-19;    SARS-CoV-2;    vaccine;    ACE-2;    gender difference;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fimmu.2021.659339

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Globally, over two million people have perished due to the recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. The available epidemiological global data for SARS-CoV-2 portrays a higher rate of severity and mortality in males. Analyzing gender differences in the host mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection and progression may offer insight into the more detrimental disease prognosis and clinical outcome in males. Therefore, we outline sexual dimorphisms which exist in particular host factors and elaborate on how they may contribute to the pronounced severity in male COVID-19 patients. This includes disparities detected in comorbidities, the ACE2 receptor, renin-angiotensin system (RAS), signaling molecules involved in SARS-CoV-2 replication, proteases which prime viral S protein, the immune response, and behavioral considerations. Moreover, we discuss sexual disparities associated with other viruses and a possible gender-dependent response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. By specifically highlighting these immune-endocrine processes as well as behavioral factors that differentially exist between the genders, we aim to offer a better understanding in the variations of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity.

【 授权许可】

Unknown