Lupus: why women?

Estrogens are believed to play a role in the etiology of both human and murine systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus, SLE), presumably through the agency of their cellular receptor proteins. There is now considerable interest in the molecular mechanism of action of estrogens in immune tissues, particularly with regard to autoimmune disorders, which are generally more prevalent in women. In this laboratory, an attempt is being made to characterize estrogen receptors in murine models of SLE, namely NZB/W and MRL/MP-lpr/lpr mice, and to try to relate this to estrogen receptor function in vivo. It is hypothesized that estradiol (E(2)), through its receptors, mediates the progression of murine SLE and that in autoimmune disease, the estrogen receptor is functionally or structurally changed, or both. Initial studies suggest there are differences in estrogen receptors between BALB/c mice, which do not get autoimmune disease, and two strains that do, MRL/MP-lpr/lpr and NZB/W mice. There is evidence that in at least one model of SLE, the normal regulation of estrogen action by progesterone may be impaired. In several laboratories, attempts are being made to relate estrogen action to immune function and to autoimmune diseases. The study of estrogen action on the immune system may lead to the development of treatments that attenuate the immunostimulant effects of E(2) in autoimmune diseases such as SLE.