Sex hormones and autoimmunity.
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.
González
Delia Almeida
DA
Research Unit of University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Tenerife, Spain. delia38204@yahoo.com
Díaz
Buenaventura Brito
BB
Rodríguez Pérez
María del Cristo
Mdel C
Hernández
Ana González
AG
Chico
B Nicolás Díaz
BN
de León
Antonio Cabrera
AC
D000728:Androgens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D004967:Estrogens / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology; D012737:Sex Factors; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens