Sexual dimorphism in skin immunity is mediated by an androgen-ILC2-dendritic cell axis. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38574174/)

These scientists wanted to understand why males and females have different immune responses and susceptibility to diseases. They focused on a specific type of immune cells called type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in the skin. They found that male hormones called androgens can reduce the activity of ILC2 cells, which then affects another type of immune cells called dendritic cells (DC).

In males, the lower activity of ILC2 cells due to androgens led to fewer dendritic cells being present and activated in the skin, which resulted in weaker immune responses. The scientists discovered that there is a complex interaction between sex hormones like androgens, ILC2 cells, and dendritic cells that influences how the immune system works differently in males and females.

They also found that the bacteria living on the skin, known as the microbiota, can also play a role in shaping the immune response. Overall, this study showed that a combination of sex hormones and the microbiota can influence how strong the immune system is in different individuals.

Chi L., Liu C., Gribonika I., Gschwend J., Corral D., Han SJ., Lim AI., Rivera CA., Link VM., Wells AC., Bouladoux N., Collins N., Lima-Junior DS., Enamorado M., Rehermann B., Laffont S., Guery JC., Tussiwand R., Schneider C., Belkaid Y. Sexual dimorphism in skin immunity is mediated by an androgen-ILC2-dendritic cell axis. Science. 2024 Apr 4:eadk6200. doi: 10.1126/science.adk6200.