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Sex Hormones and Autoimmunity

Meaning

Sex Hormones and Autoimmunity describes the intricate and clinically significant regulatory relationship between endogenous steroid hormones and the development, progression, and severity of autoimmune diseases. This interaction is central to the observed gender disparity in autoimmunity, where the majority of conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, disproportionately affect women. Hormonal status, including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, can significantly modulate immune cell function and the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses.