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Men are from Mars, women are from Venus is a famous saying that tries to explain the differences between men and women. In a recent study conducted by researchers from Michigan State University, it found that the men and women are so different down to the cellular level.

The study, published in the journal Biology of Sex Differences, tackles what the role of biological sex is when it comes to the relationship between immune cells and stress. In particular, the study focuses on how mast cells, the immune cells that contribute to how the body reacts to allergic and inflammatory diseases, of both sexes react when under stress.

According to previous studies, it has already been observed by many researchers that there are some diseases or health problems that one sex is more susceptible to. In the case with regards to irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, it has been found women are up to four times likely to develop this health problem compared to men. Moreover, previous studies have failed to factor in the role of biological sex when it comes to these diseases.

The researchers found the women are more prone to develop gastrointestinal and immune-related diseases in response to stress compared with men. Furthermore, women had higher serum histamine levels in response to passive systemic anaphylaxis. It means women are more susceptible to allergic diseases compared to men.

In addition, the study also conducted an in-depth analysis of the mast cells of both women and men through the analysis of the RNA. The study found that mast cells of women can be expressed in 8,000 different ways compared to men. This means that women's immune cells act differently compared to men. The RNA analysis also showed the increase in activity of inflammatory substances in the body.

With the findings of the study, the researchers are starting to develop treatments that target the immune cells based on the biological sex of the person. Moreover, the researchers are looking into when immune cells act differently during the development of the human body and in regards to the sex of the individual.