Glucocorticoids and Immune Function

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-043780-1.50020-8Get rights and content

Publisher Summary

This chapter discusses the role of glucocorticoids and immune function. The effects of glucocorticoids on the effector functions of monocytes and macrophages are quite complicated. Mononuclear phagocytes are activated by IFN-γ to a heightened state of activation that results in more efficient recognition and killing of pathogens and tumor cells. Specific changes that accompany macrophage activation include increased expression of receptors for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG), increased capacity for production of reactive oxygen metabolites, and an increased ability to kill tumor cells. In some cases, IFN-γ can completely reverse the inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids. Crude preparations of cytokines containing IFN-γ could activate human alveolar macrophages to inhibit the growth of the Legionnaire's disease bacillus, even in cultures containing 1 μ cortisol. Lower levels of glucocorticoid either have no effect or enhance monocyte and macrophage function. The relative concentrations of glucocorticoid and IFN-γ are key determinants of the ability of macrophages to ingest and kill infectious agents or autologous red blood cells.

References (0)

Cited by (0)

View full text