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University of California, Riverside researchers investigate sex-specific immune responses in obesity and parasitic infections
January 27, 2025 – Riverside, CA – Obesity and parasitic worm infections, two major global health issues, are often seen as separate problems, but new research from the University of California, Riverside (UCR), funded by a $3.7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is revealing an intriguing connection between the two. The study will explore the unique immune responses to obesity and helminth infections, with a particular focus on sex-specific differences in immune reactions, offering new possibilities for treatment.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity and Helminth Infections
Obesity affects over two in five adults in the United States and is linked to several serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and inflammatory disorders. Parasitic worm infections, known as helminth infections, also present a significant health burden, with an estimated two billion people affected globally. These infections cause a range of health issues, including anemia, malnutrition, and abdominal pain.
Led by Meera G. Nair, a professor of biomedical sciences at the UCR School of Medicine, the research team is focusing on the role of immune cells, such as macrophages and eosinophils, in combating both obesity and parasitic infections. These disease-fighting cells, which are influenced by proteins like RELMalpha, are essential to immune system function. The research will investigate how the RELMalpha protein, released by macrophages in a sex-dependent manner, affects the immune system differently in males and females.
Sex-Specific Immune Responses in Disease Progression
The team is using a mouse model to study how macrophages and eosinophils interact during the progression of obesity and parasitic infections. RELMalpha has been found to regulate immune cells in a sex-dependent manner, meaning its activity may vary between males and females. According to Nair, these findings could lead to better understanding of how sex-specific immune responses impact disease outcomes.
“Macrophage-eosinophil interactions are crucial for combating both obesity and helminth infections,” Nair said. “We are particularly interested in how these immune responses differ in males and females, as this could offer new pathways for treating these conditions.”
Investigating Disease Mechanisms and Disparities
The research team aims to uncover the immune mechanisms behind the disparities observed in obesity and helminth infections. By understanding how sex-specific immune responses influence disease outcomes, the researchers hope to develop new, more effective treatments for both metabolic disorders and parasitic infections.
“Our goal is to identify the protective pathways involved in these immune responses, particularly in adipose (fat) tissue,” Nair said. “We have found that helminth infections activate eosinophils, which could help mitigate the effects of obesity and related diseases. By focusing on RELMalpha, we hope to discover a better way to combat metabolic dysfunction.”
Focused Objectives and Collaboration
The research has three primary objectives:
- Understanding how RELMalpha influences macrophage differentiation and eosinophil responses in adipose tissue, with a focus on sex-specific mechanisms.
- Investigating how macrophages and eosinophils function differently in males and females and their potential role in defending against obesity and helminth infections.
- Combining lab-derived single cell sequencing data with publicly available datasets to identify specific eosinophil subpopulations and the cellular pathways involved in type 2 immunity.
Coss, a co-investigator, is focusing on understanding the sex differences in response to obesity, while Godzik is leading the development of computational tools for sharing datasets related to the research.
Towards New Therapeutic Approaches
The team’s work could pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches to managing obesity and metabolic diseases, particularly for men, who are disproportionately affected by these conditions. By focusing on the immune system’s role in obesity and related diseases, the researchers aim to provide new insights that could lead to more effective treatments, tailored to sex-specific immune responses.
“Our research is unique because it combines the expertise of immunologists, endocrinologists, and computational modelers to address the complex relationship between obesity and parasitic infections,” Nair said. “By focusing on sex-specific immune mechanisms, we hope to develop targeted treatments that can improve health outcomes for both males and females.”
The team, which includes two postdoctoral researchers and two graduate students, is poised to make significant strides in understanding the immune system’s role in obesity and metabolic diseases, setting the stage for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about ongoing research at the University of California, Riverside, and is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnose any conditions. Please consult a healthcare professional for specific concerns related to obesity, parasitic infections, or any related health conditions.
