More than 1,000 genetic switches reveal why female immunity is different
A new study has identified over 1,000 genetic switches that function differently in male and female immune cells, potentially explaining why women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases. The research highlights the necessity of sex-inclusive medical studies to improve treatment accuracy.
Why it matters
Addressing the historical bias in medical research toward male subjects is vital for developing effective, personalized treatments for autoimmune conditions.
Women are diagnosed with autoimmune diseases far more often than men, and new research from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Sydney may help explain why. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly targets the body's own healthy tissues. Lupus, for example, can affect as many as nine women for every one man, yet the genetic factors behind this striking difference have remained poorly understood.
Researchers have now identified more than 1,000 genetic switches that behave differently in female and male immune cells. These differences appear to contribute to greater activity in inflammation-related pathways in females, offering a new biological explanation for why women may be more susceptible to autoimmune disease.
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