Research progress on estrogen and estrogen receptors in the occurrence and progression of autoimmune thyroid diseases

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is a category of disease related to sex differences, with a significantly higher incidence in women than in men. In addition to X chromosome inactivation abnormalities, Estrogen and estrogen receptors may lead to the sex differences in AITD. Estrogen, estrogen receptors and estrogen receptor-mediated signaling pathways can affect the number and function of immune cells and the function of the thyroid to promote the development of AITD. This article describes the role of estrogen in regulating the composition ratio and the function of immune cells and the role of estrogen in promoting thyroid cell proliferation and thyroxine-binding protein and thyroid antibody production; the role of estrogen in stimulating the hypothalamus-pituitary–thyroid gland axis; and the role of estrogen and the estrogen receptor in the progression of AITD. These roles offer a new perspective for understanding the pathological mechanism of AITD and provide new targets for future therapeutic strategies.