A new review in Science examines how sex chromosomes influence immunity, aging, and disease, suggesting they impact health beyond determining biological sex.
Key facts
- •The review was co-authored by researchers from institutions including the University of Arizona, UCSF, Harvard Medical School, and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.
- •In mice, cells relying primarily on the mother's X chromosome showed faster brain aging and memory decline.
- •Loss of the Y chromosome in T cells and cancer cells has been linked to increased mortality from carcinomas.
- •The study originated from discussions at the 2025 National Institute on Aging Workshop regarding sex differences in human health.
- •The findings were published in the journal Science under the title 'X and Y chromosomes as determinants of aging and disease'.
A review published in the journal Science indicates that X and Y chromosomes play a significant role in human health, affecting how cells function, age, and respond to disease. Co-led by Dr. Dan Theodorescu of the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Dr. Dena B. Dubal of the University of California, San Francisco, the study suggests these chromosomes influence disease risk and treatment responses alongside sex hormones.
Chromosomal Influence on Disease
The review synthesizes evidence from human studies, mouse models, and genomic technologies to show that genes on sex chromosomes help determine disease progression in areas such as cancer, neurological conditions, and cardiometabolic disease. Researchers noted that the loss of sex chromosomes with age is linked to various health issues; for instance, the loss of a Y chromosome in men is associated with heart disease, Alzheimer's, and severe infections, while the loss of an X chromosome in women is linked to a higher risk of leukemia.
Implications for Clinical Care
The authors suggest that understanding these chromosomal processes could lead to more personalized medical care. In cancer research, for example, tumors that lose the Y chromosome may evade the immune system but potentially respond better to immunotherapy. The review advocates for designing clinical trials that are sex-aware to better tailor diagnostics and treatments to a patient's unique genetic profile.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Medical Xpress.
