Study of a Million Blood Cells Helps Explain Why Women Face More Autoimmune Disease

A single-cell study of 1.25 million blood cells from 982 people found more than 1,000 sex-dependent genetic switches in immune cells.

Women had more B and T cells and stronger inflammatory gene activity, while men had more monocytes and less inflammation-prone profiles.

Two female-biased switches tied to lupus-related genes, FCGR3A and ITGB2, were also identified.

The results help explain why autoimmune diseases are more common in women and support more sex-aware research and treatment.