Sex Differences Seen in Immune Cells - Scorecard - MDSpire

Sex Differences Seen in Immune Cells

Single-cell analysis identified sex-biased immune-cell composition, gene expression, and genetic regulation in unstimulated blood immune cells

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • May 14, 2026

  • 4 min

Share

Clinical Scorecard: Sex Differences Seen in Immune Cells

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
Condition
Key Mechanisms
Target PopulationAdults of European ancestry in the OneK1K cohort study.
Care Setting

Key Highlights

  • Men showed higher proportions of CD14-positive monocytes, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, proliferating natural killer cells, CD8-positive proliferating cells, effector memory T cells, and central memory T cells.
  • Women exhibited higher proportions of B cells, CD4-positive naive T cells, CD56-positive natural killer cells, and regulatory T cells.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

    Management

    • Tailor treatment approaches based on sex-specific immune profiles, considering specific therapies for autoimmune diseases.

    Monitoring & Follow-up

      Risks

        Patient & Prescribing Data

        Participants of European ancestry in the OneK1K cohort.

        Sex-biased gene expression may influence treatment responses in autoimmune diseases.

        Clinical Best Practices

        • Incorporate sex as a biological variable in immunological research.
        • Utilize single-cell RNA sequencing for detailed immune profiling.
        • Acknowledge the limitations of findings due to genetic homogeneity and single time-point sampling.
        • Consider hormonal factors when monitoring immune responses.

        Related Resources & Content

        Original Source(s)

        Sex Differences Seen in Immune Cells

        • by Andrea Surnit

        • May 14, 2026

        Related Content

        FDA Clears Golimumab Biosimilars

        New biosimilars enter the market with pharmacy-level substitution eligibility for rheumatology and gastroenterology indications.

        Serum Urate Goals Tied to Lower CV Risk

        Patients with gout who reached serum urate targets had modestly higher 5-year cardiovascular event-free survival, with associations strongest among high-risk patients

        Tofacitinib vs Adalimumab Findings Require Caution in RA

        Meta-analysis favored tofacitinib for some rheumatoid arthritis outcomes, but high heterogeneity, dose-dependent effects, and JAK inhibitor safety concerns complicate interpretation.