Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin have described significant differences in the brain immune cells (microglia) of male and female mice.
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Senior author Susanne Wolf says the findings need to be taken into consideration in future research into neurological and psychiatric disorders.
As reported in the journal Cell Reports, the researchers used brain slices and isolated cells to study the structure and function of microglia, the immune cells of the nervous system that protect against invading pathogens and injury.
"It turns out that the brains of male mice have more microglia," says Wolf, who adds that the cell bodies of male microglia are larger than the those seen in females.
The study also suggested that microglia in males act differently, being “permanently at attention, ready to strike and keep order,” according to Wolf.
Another difference was that the constant alertness of male microglia means they seem to “wear out” more quickly.
In female microglia, the proteins and genes involved in protecting the cells are more active, whereas in male microglia there is increased activity of the genes responsible for apoptosis (programmed cell death).
This means male microglia may be more vulnerable to environmental insults and quicker to induce apoptosis.
It almost seems as if the male cells are more willing to take risks than the female ones. They almost always react faster, but as a result they sometimes seem to put themselves in danger."
Dilansu Guneykaya, First Author
Guneykaya adds that it is crucial that these differences be taken into account in future research on neurological, and especially, psychiatric disorders.
Wolf also stresses that researchers testing medications for the treatment of neurological disorders must be aware of the fact men and women’s brains could respond very differently to the same agent.