Pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1 in central nervous and reproductive systems in multiple sclerosis female patients: Communication between nervous, endocrine and immune systems

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a complex disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and axonal degeneration. The concept that sex hormones may play a role in MS pathogenesis and disease activity is based on two well-established clinical observations: a higher prevalence of MS in females compared to males and a decrease in disease activity during pregnancy, in particular, in the third trimester. In the literature, studies demonstrate significant differences between female and male brain, at molecular and cellular levels as well as its structure. All these features have been called Dimorphism (two forms in the same specie). The Sry gene (sex determining region of the Y chromosome) is the responsible of sexual differentiation of the brain and is originated from work on the hypothalamus once the fetal testes have been formed, releasing 17β-estradiol. IL-1 gene family has been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), where IL-1α and IL-1β has been found in MS lesions, as well as increased serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra).