Open Access

Helper T cells: A potential target for sex hormones to ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis? (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Quanjun Niu
    • Junhang Hao
    • Zhen Li
    • Huiping Zhang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 25, 2024     https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2024.13339
  • Article Number: 215
  • Copyright: © Niu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease whose etiology is not fully understood. Defective peripheral immune tolerance and subsequent mis‑differentiation and aberrant infiltration of synovium by various immune cells, especially helper T (Th) cells, play an important role in the development of RA. There are significant sex differences in RA, but the results of studies on the effects of sex hormones on RA have been difficult to standardize and hormone replacement therapy has been limited by the potential for serious side effects. Existing research has amply demonstrated that cellular immune responses are largely determined by sex and that sex hormones play a key role in Th cell responses. Based on the aforementioned background and the plasticity of Th cells, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the action of sex hormones on Th cells will hopefully become a therapeutic target for RA. The present review discussed the role of various Th cell subsets in the pathogenesis of RA and also explored the role of sex hormones on the phenotype and function of these aberrantly regulated immune cells in RA as well as other pathologic effects on RA.
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December-2024
Volume 30 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1791-2997
Online ISSN:1791-3004

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Niu Q, Hao J, Li Z and Zhang H: Helper T cells: A potential target for sex hormones to ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis? (Review). Mol Med Rep 30: 215, 2024.
APA
Niu, Q., Hao, J., Li, Z., & Zhang, H. (2024). Helper T cells: A potential target for sex hormones to ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis? (Review). Molecular Medicine Reports, 30, 215. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2024.13339
MLA
Niu, Q., Hao, J., Li, Z., Zhang, H."Helper T cells: A potential target for sex hormones to ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis? (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 30.6 (2024): 215.
Chicago
Niu, Q., Hao, J., Li, Z., Zhang, H."Helper T cells: A potential target for sex hormones to ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis? (Review)". Molecular Medicine Reports 30, no. 6 (2024): 215. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2024.13339