Sex-Specific Cardiovascular Comorbidities with Associations in Dermatologic and Rheumatic Disorders.

Sex-Specific Cardiovascular Comorbidities with Associations in Dermatologic and Rheumatic Disorders. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018;1065:489-509 Authors: Kerkhof PLM, Khamaganova I Abstract Cardiology, dermatology, and rheumatology form a fascinating triad. Many skin and joint disorders are associated with cardiovascular comorbidities because they share etiologic elements. Female predominance is often remarkable and likely related to autoimmune pathology. Although studies have shown that X-encoded genes may be involved in the differences in immunity between males and females, other studies have also shown that sex chromosomes are irrelevant and that estrogens and androgens are responsible for the differences. The elevated immune activity in females provides a beneficial position in coping with a pathogenic stimulus but may also enhance their susceptibility to autoimmunity. The complexity of the immune system and its role as a defensive force against infection requires an armamentarium to precisely identify and selectively control inflammatory processes or cells which promote atherosclerosis. On the other hand, the inflammation in skin diseases seems to be an active source of diverse proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines which can predispose to cardiovascular comorbidities. Also, it has been shown that comorbidity disproportionately accelerates risk in women.The skin offers a readily available window to facilitate detection of risk factors...
Source: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Category: Research Tags: Adv Exp Med Biol Source Type: research