Why autoimmune disease is more common in women: X chromosome holds clues
Journal: Nature; February 1, 2024
Author(s): Elie Dolgin
Why are women more likely than men to have autoimmune diseases?
Autoimmune diseases are up to 4 times more common in women than men, but there has been no evidence-based explanation for this until now, although several theories exist. New research on mice shows that this increased female association may be linked to a molecule called Xist found on X chromosomes. This molecule generates specific proteins when two X chromosomes are present, as in women, and some of these proteins seem to be linked to autoimmune diseases. When the Xist molecule was engineered into the DNA of male mice, these mice began developing signs of autoimmune disease almost as severe as in women. If these findings translate well to human studies, it could lead to new and better ways to diagnose and treat autoimmune diseases.
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