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Review
. 2019 Jun 13;20(12):2892.
doi: 10.3390/ijms20122892.

Y Chromosome, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease: Is Inflammation the Answer?

Shanzana I Khan  1   2 , Karen L Andrews  3   4 , Garry L Jennings  5 , Amanda K Sampson  6 , Jaye P F Chin-Dusting  7   8
Affiliations
Review

Y Chromosome, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease: Is Inflammation the Answer?

Shanzana I Khan et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

It is now becomingly increasingly evident that the functions of the mammalian Y chromosome are not circumscribed to the induction of male sex. While animal studies have shown variations in the Y are strongly accountable for blood pressure (BP), this is yet to be confirmed in humans. We have recently shown modulation of adaptive immunity to be a significant mechanism underpinning Y-chromosome-dependent differences in BP in consomic strains. This is paralleled by studies in man showing Y chromosome haplogroup is a significant predictor for coronary artery disease through influencing pathways of immunity. Furthermore, recent studies in mice and humans have shown that Y chromosome lineage determines susceptibility to autoimmune disease. Here we review the evidence in animals and humans that Y chromosome lineage influences hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk, with a novel focus on pathways of immunity as a significant pathway involved.

Keywords: immune-mediated hypertension; sex differences; vascular dysfunction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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