Sexual dimorphism in skin immunity is mediated by an androgen-ILC2-dendritic cell axis.

TitleSexual dimorphism in skin immunity is mediated by an androgen-ILC2-dendritic cell axis.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsChi, L, Liu, C, Gribonika, I, Gschwend, J, Corral, D, Han, S-J, Lim, AIng, Rivera, CA, Link, VM, Wells, AC, Bouladoux, N, Collins, N, Lima-Junior, DS, Enamorado, M, Rehermann, B, Laffont, S, Guéry, J-C, Tussiwand, R, Schneider, C, Belkaid, Y
JournalScience
Volume384
Issue6692
Paginationeadk6200
Date Published2024 Apr 12
ISSN1095-9203
KeywordsAndrogens, Animals, Dendritic Cells, Female, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Immunity, Innate, Lymphocytes, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Microbiota, Sex Characteristics, Skin
Abstract

Males and females exhibit profound differences in immune responses and disease susceptibility. However, the factors responsible for sex differences in tissue immunity remain poorly understood. Here, we uncovered a dominant role for type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in shaping sexual immune dimorphism within the skin. Mechanistically, negative regulation of ILC2s by androgens leads to a reduction in dendritic cell accumulation and activation in males, along with reduced tissue immunity. Collectively, our results reveal a role for the androgen-ILC2-dendritic cell axis in controlling sexual immune dimorphism. Moreover, this work proposes that tissue immune set points are defined by the dual action of sex hormones and the microbiota, with sex hormones controlling the strength of local immunity and microbiota calibrating its tone.

DOI10.1126/science.adk6200
Alternate JournalScience
PubMed ID38574174