The Endocrine-Respiratory Axis: Hormonal Regulation of Lung Development, Disease, and Repair
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64229/zc7kmr32Keywords:
Endocrine-respiratory axis, Lung development, Thyroid hormones, Sex hormones, Pulmonary immunityAbstract
The respiratory system is increasingly recognized as a hormonally responsive organ whose development, immune homeostasis, and repair are tightly regulated by endocrine signals. Beyond classical neural and immune regulation, hormones such as glucocorticoids, thyroid hormones, and sex steroids exert profound effects on lung morphogenesis, epithelial integrity, immune responses, and tissue remodeling. Dysregulation of this endocrine-respiratory axis contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of diverse pulmonary diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and pregnancy- or age-associated respiratory vulnerability. This review synthesizes current knowledge on hormonal control of lung biology, highlighting mechanisms by which cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and androgens modulate lung development, inflammation, and repair. We further discuss how endocrine changes during pregnancy and aging reshape pulmonary immune responses and disease susceptibility. Understanding the endocrine-respiratory interface offers novel opportunities for precision therapies and improved management of lung diseases across the lifespan.
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