Researchers report that testosterone, which is associated with protection from multiple sclerosis (MS) in males, increased production of the cytokine IL-33 by mast cells in a mouse model of MS; increased IL-33 was associated with a nonpathogenic immune response in male mice, and IL-33 treatment of female mice reversed the harmful immune response and eliminated disease symptoms, suggesting a possible mechanism for the reduced incidence of MS and other autoimmune diseases in males relative to females.
Article #17-10401: "Male-specific IL-33 expression regulates sex-dimorphic EAE susceptibility," by Abigail E. Russi, Mark E. Ebel, Yuchen Yang, and Melissa A. Brown.
MEDIA CONTACT: Melissa A. Brown, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; tel: 312-503-0108, 312-404-6598; e-mail: < m-brown12@northwestern.edu >
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences