1. Sex hormones and autoimmunity.
- Author
-
González DA, Díaz BB, Rodríguez Pérez Mdel C, Hernández AG, Chico BN, and de León AC
- Subjects
- Androgens immunology, Animals, Arthritis, Rheumatoid epidemiology, Autoimmunity, Estrogens immunology, Female, Humans, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic epidemiology, Male, Pregnancy immunology, Sex Factors, Androgens metabolism, Arthritis, Rheumatoid immunology, Estrogens metabolism, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic immunology, Th1-Th2 Balance
- Abstract
Autoimmune diseases occur more in women than in men, and this may be attributable to the role of estrogens. Androgens promote autoimmune diseases with a profile of type 1 cytokines, such as rheumatoid arthritis, whereas estrogens promote autoimmune diseases with a type 2 cytokine profile, like systemic lupus erythematosus. Both androgens and estrogens regulate the Th1/Th2 balance. Type 1 autoimmune diseases are improved when decrease type 1 cytokines (i.e. during fasting), or when there is a rise in type 2 cytokines (increased estrogens, as in pregnancy). Type 2 autoimmune diseases improve when type 2 cytokines are diminished (decreased estrogen, as in post-partum period) or when type 1 response is stimulated., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF