Sex- and stress-steroids interactions and the immune system: evidence for a neuroendocrine-immunological sexual dimorphism

摘要: Abstract It is well established that sexual dimorphism exits within the immune system. Females have higher levels of immunoglobulins, greater antibody response to antigens, and incidence autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Grave’s disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis than males. Spontaneous syndromes in mice are more prevalent severity females compared with males, course disease can be modulated by changes gonadal steroids. A also present pituitary-adrenal function: corticosterone corticosteroidogenesis. In context immune-neuroendocrine interactions, we investigated effects gonadectomy sex hormone therapy on endotoxin-stimulated hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. Whereas endotoxin-induced release invariable throughout different stages oestrus cycle, both male female leads enhanced adrenal responses endotoxin. Interestingly, these completely reversed testosterone treatment regardless mice. Studies performed over development confirm role endogenous modulating secretion. Indeed, endotoxin maximal before puberty when low declines postpubertal adult conclusion, all data support a steroid basis for neuroendocrine-immunologic dimorphism.