Antagonistic and synergistic effects of glucocorticoids and IL-7 on CD4+ T cell activation
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
16723155
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroidal compounds widely used to treat chronic and acute inflammatory diseases. In particular, GCs at pharmacological doses induce apoptosis of activated and naïve T cells, inhibit their proliferation and block pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. At physiological concentrations, the effect of these steroids on T cell immunity are not yet fully understood, and various studies reported paradoxical roles exerted by GCs on T cell immunity. Here, we show that GCs surprisingly induce proliferation of activated CD4(+) T cells in the presence of IL-7, a cytokine secreted in the thymus and at mucosal sites. Increased proliferation is dependent on a GC-mediated survival of mitotic cells. Moreover, we observe a downmodulation of Th1 cytokine secretion in cells treated with GCs, an outcome which is not affected by the presence of IL-7. GCs exert thus a positive role in the presence of IL-7 by enhancing proliferation of CD4(+) T cells and simultaneously a negative role by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
Date Issued
2006
Publication Type
Article
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Cima, Igor | |
Fuhrer, Andrea |
Additional Credits
Journal
Immunology letters
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
0165-2478
ISBN
16723155
Access(Rights)
metadata.only