Media Availability: Estrogen Worsens Allergic Reactions in Mice

Media Availability: Estrogen Worsens Allergic Reactions in Mice

What Causes Gender Disparity in Allergy?

Women tend to experience anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, more frequently than men, but why this difference exists is unclear. NIAID researchers show in mice that estrogen worsens anaphylaxis by regulating an enzyme that causes some of the symptoms. If the effects are similar in people, researchers can design better therapies to treat or prevent anaphylaxis, especially for women.

Airways of male (right) and female (left) mice respond differently to anaphylactic triggers. The female response is more severe, showing more accumulation of fluids and cells around the respiratory tract (arrows).
Credit: NIAID
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