Sex hormone role in the regulation of innate immunity O.Z. Puzikova, E.V. Churyukina, A.V. Moskovkina, G.Sh. Gafiyatullina
DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2025-9-2-4
O.Z. Puzikova, E.V. Churyukina, A.V. Moskovkina, G.Sh. Gafiyatullina, M.V. Kharitonova, A.E. Amamchyan, L.V. Kravchenko
Rostov State Medical University, Rostov-on-Don, Russian Federation
According to scientific researches, it is well known that there are sex differences in the immune response, manifested by lower rates of infection with bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens, as well as an increased incidence of autoimmune diseases in women compared to men. These trends indicate that women have increased immune reactivity to both their own and foreign antigens. The effect of sex hormones on the cells of the immune system should be considered one of the determining factors causing differences in the immune response in men and women. The proposed review discusses the effect of sex hormones (estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone) on cells of the innate immune system, possible ways and mechanisms of their action. The article also discusses the possible mechanisms of sex differences in the formation of autoimmune pathology. It shows how hormonal-immune associations change in conditions such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. It is assumed that the levels of steroid hormones, which are different for each physiological or pathological condition of the human body, adjust the activity of the immune system to the appropriate functional regime. The study of the effect of sex hormones on the functioning of the immune system is of paramount importance for understanding the mechanisms of development of autoimmune diseases, as well as the sex-dependent characteristics of the body's reactions to pathogens and vaccines, especially during periods of significant hormonal changes. The purpose of this review was to analyze the mechanisms of the sex hormone effect on the innate immune cells.
Keywords: sex hormones, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, autoimmune diseases, innate immunity, puberty, pregnancy, menopause.
For citation: Puzikova O.Z., Churyukina E.V., Moskovkina A.V., Gafiyatullina G.Sh., Kharitonova M.V., Amamchyan A.E., Kravchenko L.V. Sex hormone role in the regulation of innate immunity. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2025;9(2):119–124 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2025-9-2-4
About the authors:
Olesya Z. Puzikova — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor of the Department of Normal Physiology, Rostov State Medical University; 29, Nakhichevanskiy Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-2868-0664
Ella V. Churyukina — C. Sc. (Med.), Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases, Leading Researcher, Rostov State Medical University; 29, Nakhichevanskiy Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0001-6407-6117
Angela V. Moskovkina — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Senior Researcher at the Obstetric and Gynecological Department, Rostov State Medical University; 29, Nakhichevanskiy Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0003-3784-2159
Guzyal Sh. Gafiyatullina — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Professor, Head of the Department of Normal Physiology, Vice-Rector for Foreign Studies and International Cooperation, Rostov State Medical University; 29, Nakhichevanskiy Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-7656-2101
Maria V. Kharitonova — C. Sc. (Med.), Head of the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Normal Physiology, Rostov State Medical University; 29, Nakhichevanskiy Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0003-0806-6437
Ashot E. Amamchyan — C. Sc. (Med.), Associate Professor of the Department of Normal Physiology, Rostov State Medical University; 29, Nakhichevanskiy Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0009-0008-6245-4987
Ludmila V. Kravchenko — Dr. Sc. (Med.), Senior Researcher at the Pediatric Department, Rostov State Medical University; 29, Nakhichevanskiy Lane, Rostov-on-Don, 344022, Russian Federation; ORCID iD 0000-0002-0036-4926
Contact information: Olesya Z. Puzikova, e-mail: olepuzikova@yandex.ru
Financial Disclosure: no authors have a financial or property interest in any material or method mentioned.
There is no conflict of interest.
Received 30.01.2025.
Revised 24.02.2025.
Accepted 19.03.2025.
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