Scientists found a major clue why 4 of 5 autoimmune patients are women

An international team led by scientists at Stanford University has discovered a probable explanation for a decades-old biological mystery: why vastly more women than men suffer from autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Women account for about 80 percent of the people afflicted with autoimmune diseases, a collection of more than 100 ailments that burden a combined 50 million Americans, according to the nonprofit Autoimmune Association. In a paper published Thursday in the journal Cell, researchers present new evidence that a molecule called Xist — pronounced like the word “exist” and found only in women — is a major culprit in these diseases.

tips

clue 线索

autoimmune a. 自身免疫的

lupus 狼疮

rheumatoid arthritis 类风湿性关节炎（rheumat- = to flow，流）

afflict 使苦恼；折磨

ailment 疾病；小病

burden 负担；承担

molecule 分子

culprit 引起问题的根因