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A gendered magnifying glass on COVID-19.
Salvati, Lorenzo; Biagioni, Benedetta; Vivarelli, Emanuele; Parronchi, Paola.
  • Salvati L; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
  • Biagioni B; SOD Immunologia e Terapie Cellulari, AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy.
  • Vivarelli E; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
  • Parronchi P; Allergy Unit, AOU A. Meyer, Florence, Italy.
Clin Mol Allergy ; 18: 14, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-693349
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 pandemia is affecting Countries worldwide with a gendered death excess as being a male represents, especially in the 50-69 years age group, an unfavourable factor. Females are constitutionally prone to defend themselves against pathogens with a stronger efficiency than males. As a fact, several genes involved into the regulation of the innate and adaptive immune response are strategically placed on the X-chromosome and, among them, pathogen-related receptors (PRRs), such as Toll-like receptor 7, suitable to recognize ssRNAs and trigger a gendered successful anti-viral fight. On the other hand, a more regulated IL-6 production and a more contained inflammation after the encounter of a pathogen supply score points in favour of the female sex in the view that an abnormal and exaggerated cytokine release does represent the hallmark of the deathful SARS-CoV-2 infection. The sex-prevalent expression of the attachment and permissive molecules ACE2 and TMPRSS2 further supports the concept of a male-oriented vulnerability. In this review, the possible role of biological and immunological sex differences into the higher morbidity and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 between females and males are discussed.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Clin Mol Allergy Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12948-020-00129-2

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Clin Mol Allergy Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S12948-020-00129-2