Cited by 395Sex and Gender in HealthcareEstrogen and related hormone effectsHormonal and reproductive studies

Sex differences and sex steroids in lung health and disease

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Townsend, Elizabeth A., Miller, Virginia M., Prakash, Y. S.·2012·Endocrine Reviews

Abstract

Sex differences in the biology of different organ systems and the influence of sex hormones in modulating health and disease are increasingly relevant in clinical and research areas.Although work has focused on sex differences and sex hormones in cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neuronal systems, there is now increasing clinical evidence for sex differences in incidence, morbidity, and mortality of lung diseases including allergic diseases (such as asthma), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, as well as pulmonary hypertension.Whether such differences are inherent and/or whether sex steroids play a role in modulating these differences is currently under investigation.The purpose of this review is to define sex differences in lung structure/function under normal and specific disease states, with exploration of whether and how sex hormone signaling mechanisms may explain these clinical observations.Focusing on adult age groups, the review addresses the following: 1) inherent sex differences in lung anatomy and physiology; 2) the importance of certain time points in life such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause, and aging; 3) expression and signaling of sex steroid receptors under normal vs. disease states; 4) potential interplay between different sex steroids; 5) the question of whether sex steroids are beneficial or detrimental to the lung; and 6) the potential use of sex steroid signaling as biomarkers and therapeutic avenues in lung diseases.The importance of focusing on sex differences and sex steroids in the lung lies in the increasing incidence of lung diseases in women and the need to address lung diseases across the life span.(Endocrine Reviews 33: 1-47, 2012) I. Introduction II.Sex Differences in Lung Structure and Function A. Measurement of lung structure and function B. Historical studies C. Sex differences in prenatal and early postnatal lung D. Sex differences in puberty and beyond III.Sex Differences in Lung Diseases A. Asthma B. Atopy and allergic rhinitis C. COPD and lung cancer D. Fibrotic diseases E. Pulmonary hypertension F. Other conditions IV. Sex Steroids in Lung Physiology and Pathophysiology A. Sex steroid signaling B. Upper and lower airways C. Lung parenchyma D. Pulmonary vasculature E. Immune cells and function V. Clinical Implications of Sex Differences and Sex Steroid Signaling VI.Future Directions VII. Conclusions

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  • The sex difference in pulmonary function may be largely explained by the androgen-sensitive sex difference in height, which is a strong predictor of lung capacity and function.

    “The sex difference in pulmonary function may be largely explained by the androgen-sensitive sex difference in height, which is a strong predictor of lung capacity and function (149).”

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Authors
Townsend, E. A., Miller, V. M., & Prakash, Y. S.
Affiliations
Mayo Clinic (US)
Venue
Endocrine Reviews
Published
2012-02
Volume
33
Issue
1
Pages
1-47
ISSN
  • 0163-769X (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7189
OpenAlex
W2041568486
Cited by
395
References
494
Citations by year
2026: 20 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 32 · 2018: 34 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 23 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Endocrine Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL088029, HL056470, R01HL088029, R01HL056470)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Sex and Gender in Healthcare
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Estrogen and related hormone effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
Keywords
sex differences, sex steroids, lung health, lung disease, sex hormone receptors, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, puberty, pregnancy, menopause, aging, biomarkers
MeSH terms
Aging, Female, Humans, Lung, Lung Diseases, Male, Menopause, Pregnancy, Puberty, Sex Characteristics, Gonadal Steroid Hormones, Signal Transduction, Biomarkers

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