Sex hormones have a significant impact on the immune system. This is highly relevant for transgender people where some may wish to take gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). GAHT is an important part of medical transgender care and can help alleviate feelings of gender dysphoria and facilitate the development of secondary sexual characteristics consistent with a person's gender identity. This can have a significant positive impact on a person’s mental health and overall quality of life. How GAHT impacts immune system function in transgender individuals and increased or decreased susceptibility to disease remain poorly understood. Autoimmune diseases are thought to result from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, with sex hormones playing a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Several studies have suggested a potential link between GAHT and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS), though further research is needed to establish a causal relationship.
This Research Topic aims to better understand the impact of GAHT on immune function and risk of immune mediated disease in transgender people. We will explore differences in autoimmunity risk, the impact of GAHT on immune function, and potential interventions to mitigate risks. Studying the impact of GAHT on immune mediated diseases in transgender people is crucial to identifying potential benefits as well as risk factors of GAHT and enabling the development of additional safe and effective interventions that promote immunological health in transgender people. Such research will inform transgender care and ensure that transgender individuals benefit from this life-changing treatment and lead long, happy, and healthy lives.
This Research Topic accepts Original Research, Systematic Review, Review and Mini-Review, Hypothesis & Theory, Perspective, Case Report and Conceptual Analysis. We welcome manuscripts focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Determining the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying immune-driven diseases in transgender people undergoing GAHT
• Evaluating differences in risk of autoimmunity and susceptibility patterns among transgender people undergoing GAHT
• Exploring the impact of GAHT on immune system function
• Assessing the long-term effects of GAHT and risk of disease development
The Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords:
GAHT, hormone therapy, sex hormones, gender dysphoria, autoimmune, transgender care
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.
Sex hormones have a significant impact on the immune system. This is highly relevant for transgender people where some may wish to take gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). GAHT is an important part of medical transgender care and can help alleviate feelings of gender dysphoria and facilitate the development of secondary sexual characteristics consistent with a person's gender identity. This can have a significant positive impact on a person’s mental health and overall quality of life. How GAHT impacts immune system function in transgender individuals and increased or decreased susceptibility to disease remain poorly understood. Autoimmune diseases are thought to result from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, with sex hormones playing a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Several studies have suggested a potential link between GAHT and autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS), though further research is needed to establish a causal relationship.
This Research Topic aims to better understand the impact of GAHT on immune function and risk of immune mediated disease in transgender people. We will explore differences in autoimmunity risk, the impact of GAHT on immune function, and potential interventions to mitigate risks. Studying the impact of GAHT on immune mediated diseases in transgender people is crucial to identifying potential benefits as well as risk factors of GAHT and enabling the development of additional safe and effective interventions that promote immunological health in transgender people. Such research will inform transgender care and ensure that transgender individuals benefit from this life-changing treatment and lead long, happy, and healthy lives.
This Research Topic accepts Original Research, Systematic Review, Review and Mini-Review, Hypothesis & Theory, Perspective, Case Report and Conceptual Analysis. We welcome manuscripts focusing on, but not limited to, the following sub-topics:
• Determining the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying immune-driven diseases in transgender people undergoing GAHT
• Evaluating differences in risk of autoimmunity and susceptibility patterns among transgender people undergoing GAHT
• Exploring the impact of GAHT on immune system function
• Assessing the long-term effects of GAHT and risk of disease development
The Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords:
GAHT, hormone therapy, sex hormones, gender dysphoria, autoimmune, transgender care
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.