[Immune sexual dimorphism: can sex steroids affect the Th1/Th2 cytokine profile?].
Cytokine secretion is a crucial aspect in immune system modulation. The secretion pattern of these molecules determines the immune response type that will confront a particular antigen, and this pattern can be at least of two types. A Th1 pattern, effective to eliminate mainly intracellular pathogens and a Th2 pattern, crucial to eradicate extra cellular pathogens. There are many immunological factors that affect expression of these proteins and auto regulate the Th1/Th2 balance, but there are few evidences about effect of other protagonists of mammals physiology. This review focuses on the regulation of the Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion pattern of immune cells by sexual steroids. The evidences indicate that cytokines and steroids form a common chemical language effective to keep the balance between immune and endocrine systems. Alterations of this delicate network can explain different pathologies where gender-associated differences exist and where sexual steroids are crucial factors.
De León-Nava
Marco A
MA
Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
Morales-Montor
Jorge
J
D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011372:Progestins / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D011372:Progestins