Sex hormones and autoimmunity - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

. 2010 Sep 6;133(1):6-13.

doi: 10.1016/j.imlet.2010.07.001. Epub 2010 Jul 14.

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Review

Sex hormones and autoimmunity

Delia Almeida González et al. Immunol Lett. 2010.

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.

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