Interferon-gamma and the sexual dimorphism of autoimmunity

Mol Biol Med. 1990 Aug;7(4):323-31.

Abstract

The sexual difference in the incidence of autoimmune diseases has remained an enigma for many years. In the examination of the induction of autoimmunity in transgenic mice, evidence has been obtained further implicating the lymphokine interferon-gamma in the etiology of autoimmunity. Sex steroid regulation of the production of this molecule, as well as other cytokines, may help explain the gender-specific differences in the immune system, including autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / drug effects
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Autoimmune Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Autoimmunity*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / immunology
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / pharmacology
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / physiology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis*
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology
  • Interferon-gamma / physiology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic / immunology
  • Models, Biological
  • Organ Specificity
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / drug effects
  • Receptors, Steroid / analysis
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
  • Sex Characteristics*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantigens
  • Cytokines
  • Estrogens
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma