Immune ‘Off-Switch’ for Pain Found to Differ by Sex, Study Shows
A new Science Immunology study links IL-10–producing monocytes to an immune brake that dampens pain after injury. In mice, males had more IL-10–producing cells and recovered faster, with pain lasting longer when IL-10 or its receptor was blocked. Human data from the AURORA trauma study showed higher IL-10 levels at injury in men and lower subsequent pain, suggesting a biological basis for women’s longer-lasting pain. While not the sole pathway for all chronic pain, the findings point to immune signaling as a potential target, with ideas like skin-applied testosterone to modulate IL-10–positive monocytes under exploration (noting more research is needed).
