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