Sex-biased genes involved in vascularization
In line with our prediction that males would exhibit increased
expression of genes associated with vascularization, we found that genes
more highly expressed in males were enriched for biological processes
associated with angiogenesis (K-S Test: D=0.19,P =7.25x10-7; Fig. 4 ). Additionally,
these genes in males were also enriched for biological processes
associated with blood pressure regulation and blood vessel maintenance
(K-S Test: D=0.19, P =2.59x10-5; Fig.
S5 ). Contrary to our predictions, we did not find evidence for
increased expression of genes associated with estrogen or androgen
regulation in males – including no evidence for indirect effects
through protein-protein networks: there was no enrichment for genes
involved in PPI networks for ER\(\alpha\) (K-S Test: D=0.04,P =0.07), ER\(\beta\) (K-S Test: D=0.05, P =0.17), or AR
(K-S Test: D=0.04, P =0.46). For subset of individuals for which
we had matched skin biopsies and chest redness at baseline while under
anesthesia (n =10 males, n =8 females), we did not find a
correlation between the average standardized expression level of genes
involved in PPI networks for ER\(\alpha\), ER\(\beta\), or AR and chest
redness within males or within females (Fig. S6).