Premium
Impact of sex hormones on immune function and multiple sclerosis development
Author(s) -
Ysrraelit María C.,
Correale Jorge
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/imm.13004
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , hormone , disease , context (archaeology) , physiology , immune system , medicine , pregnancy , testosterone (patch) , prolactin , hormonal contraception , bioinformatics , immunology , biology , population , family planning , paleontology , genetics , environmental health , research methodology
Summary Multiple sclerosis ( MS ) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system ( CNS ) affecting young people and leading to demyelination and neurodegeneration. The disease is clearly more common in women, in whom incidence has been rising. Gender differences include: earlier disease onset and more frequent relapses in women; and faster progression and worse outcomes in men. Hormone‐related physiological conditions in women such as puberty, pregnancy, puerperium, and menopause also exert significant influence both on disease prevalence as well as on outcomes. Hormonal and/or genetic factors are therefore believed to be involved in regulating the course of disease. In this review, we discuss clinical evidence for the impact of sex hormones (estrogens, progesterone, prolactin, and testosterone) on MS and attempt to elucidate the hormonal and immunological mechanisms potentially underlying these changes. We also review current knowledge on the relationship between sex hormones and resident CNS cells and provide new insights in the context of MS . Understanding these molecular mechanisms may contribute to the development of new and safer treatments for both men and women.