New research suggests a biological reason why chronic pain often lasts longer in women than men. A subset of hormone-regulated monocytes releases interleukin-10 (IL-10), a calming molecule that helps switch off pain. The study found these IL-10-producing cells were more active in males, a difference linked to higher levels of sex hormones such as testosterone.
Geoffroy Laumet, an associate professor of physiology at Michigan State University, and Jaewon Sim, a former graduate student in his lab, observed the same pattern in both mouse models and human patients. Using high-dimensional spectral flow cytometry, the team showed monocytes directly communicate with pain-sensing neurons by producing IL-10. When male sex hormones were blocked, monocyte activity and the pain response shifted in the opposite direction. The mouse work included at least five types of tests and gave consistent results.
Research with Sarah Linnstaedt at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found a similar pattern after car accidents: men had more active IL-10-producing monocytes and resolved pain faster. The authors say the next step is to test treatments that target this immune–neural pathway and boost IL-10 production so pain can resolve instead of being only blocked. While a new treatment is likely decades away, the team hopes the findings will lead to non-opioid options and help ensure women's pain is taken seriously. Funding came from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense.
- Key findings: IL-10 from monocytes reduces pain.
- Sex hormones influence monocyte activity.
- Studies included mice and human patients.
- Next: test treatments to boost IL-10 production.
Difficult words
- monocyte — white blood cell involved in immune responsesmonocytes
- interleukin-10 — small immune molecule that reduces pain and inflammationIL-10
- sex hormone — body chemical that affects sexual development and behaviorsex hormones, male sex hormones
- spectral flow cytometry — laboratory method measuring many cellular properties at once
- pain-sensing neuron — nerve cell that detects and signals physical painpain-sensing neurons
- resolve — to end or cause something to stop naturallyresolved
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Discussion questions
- How might treatments that boost IL-10 production change current pain management? Give reasons or examples.
- What are possible benefits and challenges of developing non-opioid pain treatments based on immune–neural pathways?
- Why is it important that the study included both mouse models and human patients?
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