This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

fact-checked

peer-reviewed publication

trusted source

proofread

Study in mice shows alterations in X-chromosome inactivation predispose female mammals to autoimmune disease

Study in mice shows alterations in X-chromosome inactivation predispose female mammals to autoimmune disease
Perturbation of X-inactivation in immune cells of Ftx−/− females.(A) Map of the X inactivation center showing the location of Xist (green) and Ftx and the Ftx promoter region that has been deleted (blue shading). Underneath, Xist RNA levels measured by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in wild-type (WT) and Ftx−/− females at 3 months (3-mos) and 1-year (1-yr) of age. (B) Representative images of RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) for Xist (green) on WT and Ftx−/− female cells of the indicated cell type. The percentages of cells with different patterns of Xist RNA distribution in the cell populations are shown on the histograms. Credit: Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6537

A team of infectious and inflammatory disease specialists affiliated with several institutions in France reports that women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, due to failed X-chromosome inactivation.

In their study published in the journal Science Advances, the group knocked out one of the genes involved in X- in test mice to study the theory.

Prior research has shown that female mammals, including humans, are more susceptible to developing than are males. Why this is the case has not been clear. In this new study, the research team suspected that it must have something to do with women having two X chromosomes while men have X and Y chromosomes.

Prior research has shown that as female embryos develop in the womb, most of the genes present on one of their X chromosomes are turned off, preventing a double dose of proteins produced by —a process known as X-inactivation.

The research team suspected that some of the inactivated genes may reactivate as grow older, making them more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. To find out if this might be the case, they knocked out one of the genes responsible for X-inactivation in female test mice.

When the mice grew to maturity, the researchers found that initially there was no difference between normal and engineered mice. But as the mice grew older, many of them began to develop large spleens, one of the major symptoms associated with lupus.

The researchers also found that multiple genes on the inactivated X chromosome had become reactivated in the as they grew older. Those genes, they note, have previously been associated with the .

According to the researchers, the study helps explain why female mammals are more susceptible to the development of autoimmune disease. They also suggest their findings may lead to the development of therapies for preventing the reactivation of X chromosome copies, thereby reducing the risk of developing such diseases.

More information: Christophe Huret et al, Altered X-chromosome inactivation predisposes to autoimmunity, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6537

Journal information: Science Advances

© 2024 Science X Network

Citation: Study in mice shows alterations in X-chromosome inactivation predispose female mammals to autoimmune disease (2024, May 22) retrieved 15 June 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-05-mice-chromosome-inactivation-predispose-female.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

New insights into the silencing of X chromosome genes passed on from fathers to daughters

24 shares

Feedback to editors