About this Research Topic
It has become clear over the years that immune responses are subject to sex-linked dimorphisms, rendering males and females differentially susceptible to infections and diseases. These differences have been found to be driven by sex-linked genes, sex hormones and endogenous inhibitors, sex hormone receptor-mediated signaling, and/or sex-linked epigenetic regulation, complicating our understanding of general immunity. As the scientific community continues to unravel sex-specific roles of regulators, genes and proteins, a renewed focus on sexual dimorphism is needed to guide research and clinical decision-making. Outstanding questions about what is driving sexual dimorphism in immunity and autoimmunity remain. For example, what is the role of intrinsic versus extrinsic factors? How is epigenetic regulation driving sex-based biases during immune system development and function? How do sex hormones and their receptors regulate immune cells and functions, and can changes in any of these predict susceptibility to disease or response to infections?
As we move towards even more granular personalized treatments, further understanding of how the immune system differs between individuals as a result of sex-linked genes and the environment becomes increasingly more important. We would therefore like to initiate a research forum for discussion of strategies for identification of sex-linked immunological risks and benefits. We welcome manuscripts focusing on all aspects of immune-linked sexual dimorphisms with an emphasis on functional and mechanistic identification of drivers of sex-linked dimorphisms in immunity and autoimmunity. Submissions of Original Research, Case Report, Review, Mini-Review, Hypothesis and Theory, and Perspective articles will all be considered.
Suggested topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Sex-linked biomarkers of immunological disease susceptibility
2. Sex-linked epigenetic regulation of immunity and autoimmunity
3. Sex hormonal influence of immunity and autoimmunity
4. Extrinsic and intrinsic regulation of sex hormones and sex hormone receptors
5. New strategies for screening of sex-linked genes and hormones in disease
As we move towards even more granular personalized treatments, further understanding of how the immune system differs between individuals as a result of sex-linked genes and the environment becomes increasingly more important. We would therefore like to initiate a research forum for discussion of strategies for identification of sex-linked immunological risks and benefits. We welcome manuscripts focusing on all aspects of immune-linked sexual dimorphisms with an emphasis on functional and mechanistic identification of drivers of sex-linked dimorphisms in immunity and autoimmunity. Submissions of Original Research, Case Report, Review, Mini-Review, Hypothesis and Theory, and Perspective articles will all be considered.
Suggested topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Sex-linked biomarkers of immunological disease susceptibility
2. Sex-linked epigenetic regulation of immunity and autoimmunity
3. Sex hormonal influence of immunity and autoimmunity
4. Extrinsic and intrinsic regulation of sex hormones and sex hormone receptors
5. New strategies for screening of sex-linked genes and hormones in disease
Keywords: Sex-linked genes, sex hormones, sex hormone receptor, epigenetic regulation, immunity, infection, autoimmunity
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
