Abstract
Introduction: Women are more affected by asthma than men, highlighting a role for female sex hormones in the pathogenesis of asthma. Asthmatic women on the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) have improved asthma symptoms and reduced asthma risk. An improved understanding of how female sex hormones and the OCP influence asthma outcomes may highlight new treatments for asthma.
Methods: The effects of fluctuating hormone levels on metabolic responses were assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The effects of 17β-estradiol, depot-medroxyprogesterone (DMPA) and the OCP as well as inhibition of glucose-transporter 1 (GLUT-1) (via BAY876) or glycolysis (2DG), on key features of disease and metabolism-associated gene expression were assessed in murine models of experimental asthma.
Results: Fluctuating sex hormone levels have differential effects on metabolism and TNF-α production in PBMCs. 17β-estradiol promotes features of severe experimental asthma and GLUT-1 expression, whilst DMPA and the OCP reduce disease and GLUT-1 expression in the lungs in experimental asthma. Inhibiting glucose metabolism achieved the same protective outcomes as DMPA and OCP treatment.
Conclusions: This data demonstrates that female sex hormones alter asthma outcomes through the modulation of cellular metabolic pathways, highlighting the potential for harnessing these sex hormone mediated effects for the improved control of asthma in women.
Footnotes
Cite this article as Eur Respir J 2022; 60: Suppl. 66, 597.
This article was presented at the 2022 ERS International Congress, in session “-”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2022
