How Stress Hormones Control Cytokine and Cytokine Receptor Levels

Glucocorticoids inhibit several aspects of T cell immunity primarily by blocking cytokine expression.

• Glucocorticoids inhibit cytokine gene expression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels.
• They may indirectly suppress T cell immunity by increasing the expression of transforming growth factor-beta.
• Upon entering target cells, glucocorticoids bind to their cytoplasmic receptor, which then moves to the nucleus to inhibit cytokine gene transcription.
• Glucocorticoids can also interfere with transcription factors necessary for the activation of cytokine genes.
• Despite their inhibitory effects, glucocorticoids up-regulate cytokine receptor expression, which may enhance the effects of cytokines on target cells.
• The phenomenon of steroid-induced rebound may occur following the withdrawal of glucocorticoids.

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