Immunologic sex differences and the female predominance in systemic lupus erythematosus

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The female predominance in many rheumatic disorders, most notably systemic lupus erythematosus, suggests that immunologic sex differences may modify susceptibility to disease. Clinical and experimental data indicate heightened humoral immunity and depressed cellular immunity in females compared with males. These differences appear to be mediated by sex hormones.