Gender Differences in Autoimmune Diseases

Publisher Summary This chapter updates and adds new information to complement and extend previous reviews on gender differences in autoimmunity. It starts with general remarks on what is new in sex hormones and autoimmunity. It then discusses genes and sex differences with respect to autoimmune diseases, immune mediators, and signals that are under the influence of sex hormones, and updates the information on estrogen receptors (ER), both ERα and ERβ. The chapter discusses immune modulation following activation and/or blocking of estrogen receptors and the subsequent expression of the autoimmune state. In this chapter, recent work was selected that dealt with hormones and gender differences in autoimmunity. The interplay between sex hormones and the cellular–humoral–cytokine factors that could influence the expression of autoimmune diseases is discussed. Specific autoimmune diseases with female predominance are discussed with emphasis on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Sjogren syndrome (SS), and neurologic diseases, particularly those with established animal models. Current and future applications of the basic information in the field of hormones and gender are outlined with emphasis on possible future therapeutic applications in autoimmune diseases with female predominance.