Glucocorticoids in the immune response

Glucocorticoids (GCs) interfere at many sites in the activation and development of effective lymphocytes. They already inhibit the interaction between the APC and the CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell. Furthermore glucocorticoids inhibit the production of all kinds of cytokines (e.g. IL-2, IL-4). The overall result is an inhibition of the effector cells: B cells, cytotoxic T cells and decreased activation of macrophages.

 

 

For more information on glucocorticoid therapy in immunological diseases you are referred to the immunology chapter.

Glucocorticoids have a broad spectrum of indications, and are discussed in: