Universität zu Köln

Ramsey, Jordan M., Schwarz, Emanuel, Guest, Paul C., van Beveren, Nico J. M., Leweke, F. Markus ORCID: 0000-0002-8163-195X, Rothermundt, Matthias, Bogerts, Bernhard, Steiner, Johann ORCID: 0000-0002-2611-2268, Ruta, Liliana, Baron-Cohen, Simon ORCID: 0000-0001-9217-2544 and Bahn, Sabine (2012). Molecular Sex Differences in Human Serum. PLoS One, 7 (12). SAN FRANCISCO: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. ISSN 1932-6203

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Abstract

Background: Sex is an important factor in the prevalence, incidence, progression, and response to treatment of many medical conditions, including autoimmune and cardiovascular diseases and psychiatric conditions. Identification of molecular differences between typical males and females can provide a valuable basis for exploring conditions differentially affected by sex. Methodology/Principal Findings: Using multiplexed immunoassays, we analyzed 174 serum molecules in 9 independent cohorts of typical individuals, comprising 196 males and 196 females. Sex differences in analyte levels were quantified using a meta-analysis approach and put into biological context using k-means to generate clusters of analytes with distinct biological functions. Natural sex differences were established in these analyte groups and these were applied to illustrate sexually dimorphic analyte expression in a cohort of 22 males and 22 females with Asperger syndrome. Reproducible sex differences were found in the levels of 77 analytes in serum of typical controls, and these comprised clusters of molecules enriched with distinct biological functions. Analytes involved in fatty acid oxidation/hormone regulation, immune cell growth and activation, and cell death were found at higher levels in females, and analytes involved in immune cell chemotaxis and other indistinct functions were higher in males. Comparison of these naturally occurring sex differences against a cohort of people with Asperger syndrome indicated that a cluster of analytes that had functions related to fatty acid oxidation/hormone regulation was associated with sex and the occurrence of this condition. Conclusions/Significance: Sex-specific molecular differences were detected in serum of typical controls and these were reproducible across independent cohorts. This study extends current knowledge of sex differences in biological functions involved in metabolism and immune function. Deviations from typical sex differences were found in a cluster of molecules in Asperger syndrome. These findings illustrate the importance of investigating the influence of sex on medical conditions.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Ramsey, Jordan M. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Schwarz, Emanuel UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Guest, Paul C. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED van Beveren, Nico J. M. UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Leweke, F. Markus UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-8163-195X UNSPECIFIED Rothermundt, Matthias UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Bogerts, Bernhard UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Steiner, Johann UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-2611-2268 UNSPECIFIED Ruta, Liliana UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Baron-Cohen, Simon UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0001-9217-2544 UNSPECIFIED Bahn, Sabine UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-476746
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0051504
Journal or Publication Title:	PLoS One
Volume:	7
Number:	12
Date:	2012
Publisher:	PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
Place of Publication:	SAN FRANCISCO
ISSN:	1932-6203
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language GENDER-DIFFERENCES; DIMORPHISM; INFLAMMATION; TESTOSTERONE; ADIPONECTIN; SENSITIVITY; MECHANISMS; BIOMARKERS; STRESS; RISK Multiple languages Multidisciplinary Sciences Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/47674