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Review
. 2014:2014:159150.
doi: 10.1155/2014/159150. Epub 2014 Nov 17.

Sex hormones and immune dimorphism

Aruna Bhatia  1 , Harmandeep Kaur Sekhon  1 , Gurpreet Kaur  1
Affiliations
Review

Sex hormones and immune dimorphism

Aruna Bhatia et al. ScientificWorldJournal. 2014.

Abstract

The functioning of the immune system of the body is regulated by many factors. The abnormal regulation of the immune system may result in some pathological conditions. Sex hormones of reproductive system are one of the major factors that regulate immune system due to the presence of hormone receptors on immune cells. The interaction of sex hormones and immune cells through the receptors on these cells effect the release of cytokines which determines the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of different types of immunocytes and as a result the outcome of inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. The different regulations of sex hormones in both sexes result in immune dimorphism. In this review article the mechanism of regulation of immune system in different sexes and its impact are discussed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cells and molecules of specific and nonspecific immune system [48, 49].
Figure 2
Figure 2
This figure shows the influence of different systems on the immune system. There is a bidirectional influence between the immune and CNS and immune and endocrine system (particularly gonadal) and endocrine (gonadal) and CNS. Sex hormones act on the CNS, macrophage/monocyte system, or the immune system itself, to affect immune responses [25].
Figure 3
Figure 3
The menstrual cycle has 2 phases, namely, follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase starts at the beginning of menstruation. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) rises and stimulates follicular growth. The 17 beta-estradiol produced by the follicles inhibits FSH. 17 beta-estradiol continues to rise due to the growing dominant follicle and high concentrations of this hormone trigger the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) by the pituitary. LH then induces ovulation. After ovulation, the luteal phase starts. The remainder of the follicle develops into the corpus luteum, which starts producing progesterone and 17 beta-estradiol. If pregnancy does not occur, progesterone and 17 beta-estradiol concentrations decrease, menstruation starts, and a new cycle can begin [50].
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