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Sexual Dimorphism in Innate Immunity.
Sébastien Jaillon1,2, Kevin Berthenet3, Cecilia Garlanda4,5
1Humanitas University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Via Rita Levi Montalcini, 20090, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy. sebastien.jaillon@humanitasresearch.it.
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
|October 1, 2017
Summary
Sex differences in innate immunity impact disease susceptibility. Males are more prone to infections, while females are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, influenced by genetics and hormones.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Sex Differences in Immunity
- Innate Immune Response
Background:
- Sexual dimorphisms influence disease incidence and clinical manifestations.
- Females generally exhibit stronger innate and adaptive immune responses than males.
- Males show higher susceptibility to infections from birth through adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review sex-based differences in innate immunity.
- To explore the roles of genetic and hormonal factors in immune dimorphism.
- To understand the impact of sex differences on disease development and life expectancy.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on sexual dimorphism in immunity.
- Analysis of sex-based differences in immune cell function and gene expression.
- Examination of the influence of sex chromosomes and hormones on innate immunity.
Main Results:
- Sex chromosomes, not just hormones, play a key role in innate immune dimorphism.
- Differences observed in pattern recognition receptor expression and phagocyte/antigen-presenting cell function.
- Genes on the X chromosome and sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone) modulate innate immune cells.
Conclusions:
- Innate immunity exhibits significant sex-based differences impacting health outcomes.
- Understanding these dimorphisms is crucial for addressing age-related diseases and life expectancy.
- Innate immunity's role in defense and adaptive immunity activation is sex-dependent.
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