Abstract
Sex hormones such as androgens, estrogens and progestins can directly interact with lymphocytes, macrophages and other significant immune cells, influencing their development and activity. In general, testosterone and progesterone impair macrophage production of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF ) and promote the production of Th-2 cytokines, while estrogens are considered as pro-inflammatory mediators which stimulate the production of TNF and interferon gamma (IFN ). Thus, gender can affect the outcome of chronic infectious diseases. Here, we describe the most significant activities of the sexual hormones in the development and function of the most important innate and acquired immunity cells, and their contribution in the development of some selected infectious diseases.
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