Sex differences play a significant role in human development, physiological processes, and disease susceptibility.

1. Unraveling the Role of Androgens in
Shaping Sex Differences at the Cellular
Level
Exploring Sex Differences
Sex differences play a significant role in human development, physiological processes, and
disease susceptibility. To delve deeper into understanding these differences, a team of researchers
led by Prof. GAO Dong, Prof. CHEN Luonan, Prof. BAI Fan, and Prof. YU Chen conducted a
comprehensive study published in Nature. The focus was on elucidating how androgens influence
sex disparities at the molecular and cellular levels.
Investigating Androgen Influence
The researchers developed a detailed single-cell transcriptomic map from 17 different tissues of
mice, enabling a thorough analysis of sex differences. They identified specific molecular
pathways and cell types influenced by androgens. Through their investigation, they pinpointed
genes directly influenced by androgens, such as Egfr, Fos, and Il33, which could potentially serve
as targets for precision medicine by modulating the androgen pathway.
Implications for Disease Management
One significant finding of the study was the impact of androgens on the prevalence of certain cell
types, particularly within immune cell populations. Notably, the researchers identified group 2
innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) with high androgen receptor expression levels, suggesting a
mechanism by which androgens influence immune responses and disease susceptibility.

2. Moreover, integrating their findings with data from the UK Biobank revealed associations
between cell types and sex-biased diseases, shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for
precision medicine.
Conclusion
This groundbreaking study provides valuable insights into the intricate ways in which androgens
shape sex differences at the cellular and molecular levels. By elucidating the role of androgens in
influencing specific molecular pathways and cell types, the researchers have paved the way for
developing targeted therapies for sex-biased diseases. Their findings have the potential to
revolutionize disease management by modulating the androgen pathway for improved precision
medicine strategies.