Deciphering sex differences in the immune system and depression

Jennifer R Rainville; Mariya Tsyglakova; Georgia E Hodes

doi:10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.12.004

Deciphering sex differences in the immune system and depression

Front Neuroendocrinol. 2018 Jul:50:67-90. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.12.004. Epub 2017 Dec 27.

Authors

Jennifer R Rainville¹, Mariya Tsyglakova², Georgia E Hodes³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA.
² Department of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA; Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1 Riverside Circle, Roanoke, VA 24016, USA.
³ Department of Neuroscience, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1981 Kraft Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060, USA. Electronic address: ghodes@vt.edu.

PMID: 29288680
DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.12.004

Abstract

Certain mood disorders and autoimmune diseases are predominately female diseases but we do not know why. Here, we explore the relationship between depression and the immune system from a sex-based perspective. This review characterizes sex differences in the immune system in health and disease. We explore the contribution of gonadal and stress hormones to immune function at the cellular and molecular level in the brain and body. We propose hormonal and genetic sex specific immune mechanisms that may contribute to the etiology of mood disorders.

Keywords: Depression; Estrogen; Immune function; Progesterone; Stress; Testosterone.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Female
Gonadal Steroid Hormones* / metabolism
Humans
Immune System* / immunology
Immune System* / metabolism
Male
Mood Disorders* / etiology
Mood Disorders* / immunology
Mood Disorders* / metabolism
Sex Characteristics*

Substances

Gonadal Steroid Hormones