The Immune System and Its Connection to Gender and COVID-19
COVID-19 has varied effects on men and women. According to epidemiological research, males are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 and pass away from SAR-CoV-2 infection, while females have similar infection rates. The steps of the SARS-CoV-2 immune response—viral entry, host innate immunity activation, and host adaptive immunity activation—will be discussed as we go along.
Experts discovered several putative mechanisms that could account for the more significant immune responses observed in females.
Variations in SARS-CoV-2 Immune Response by Sex
1-Viral Entry
By attaching to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors on upper respiratory tract cells, SARS-CoV-2 binds to and penetrates the host cell during viral entry. ACE2 receptors typically reduce inflammation, but binding changes this effect.
2-Host Innate Immunity
By comparing innate immune responses, disparities between the sexes were also discovered. The early natural resistant response components include interferon (IFN) production, viral detection, and inflammasome activation. The course of a disease is thought to be heavily influenced by innate immune responses.
3-Host Adaptive Immunity
A specialized mechanism known as adaptive immunity uses immune cells (lymphocytes) and antibodies to target and eliminate infections directly. Experts discovered a difference between the production of antibodies, epigenetic status of immune cells, and T cell responses between the sexes.
