Viewpoint
Glucocorticoids and immune function: unknown dimensions and new frontiers

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-5699(97)01111-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Despite the importance of glucocorticoids (GCs) to modern medicine, the physiological role of endogenous corticostcroids in immunomodulation is poorly understood. This article discusses evidence suggesting that endogenous GCs not only suppress but also direct and enhance immune functions. These often overlooked actions might well be more important than the inhibitory functions during nost defence and the maintenance of homeostasis.

References (74)

  • T. Wilckens

    Trends Pharmacol. Sci.

    (1995)
  • W.McK. Jefferies

    Med. Hypotheses

    (1994)
  • W.McK. Jefferies

    Med. Hypotheses

    (1991)
  • H. Baumann et al.

    Immunol. Today

    (1994)
  • J.L. Gelin et al.

    J. Surg. Res.

    (1993)
  • L.M. Siegel et al.

    Trends Endocrinol. Metab.

    (1994)
  • A. Soni et al.

    Am. J. Med.

    (1995)
  • L. Guida et al.

    Blood

    (1994)
  • A.N. Akbar et al.

    Immunol. Today

    (1997)
  • G.P. Anderson et al.

    Trends Pharmacol. Sci.

    (1994)
  • T.R. Mosmann et al.

    Immunol. Today

    (1996)
  • G. Hermann et al.

    J. Neurommunol.

    (1994)
  • C.J. Elson et al.

    Immunol. Today

    (1995)
  • A. Kelso

    Immuuol. Today

    (1995)
  • L. Lefrancois et al.

    Immunol. Today

    (1995)
  • H.L. Weiner

    Immunol. Today

    (1997)
  • M. Röcken et al.

    Inmmnol. Today

    (1996)
  • W.C. Gause et al.

    Immunol. Today

    (1997)
  • P.R. Scholl et al.

    Immunol. Today

    (1994)
  • D. Mason

    Immunol. Today

    (1991)
  • A.N. Theofilopoulos

    Immunol. Today

    (1995)
  • A.N. Theofilopoulos

    Immunol. Today

    (1995)
  • C. Kirschbaum et al.

    Psychoneuroendocrinology

    (1994)
  • P.B. Beeson

    Am. J. Med.

    (1994)
  • T.R. Cupps et al.

    Immunol. Rev.

    (1982)
  • A. Munck et al.

    Endocr. Rev.

    (1984)
  • A. Munck et al.

    Ann. New York Acad. Sci.

    (1994)
  • G.P. Chrotisos

    New Engl. J. Med.

    (1995)
  • R. De Rijk et al.
  • J. Liao et al.

    Am. J. Physiol. Regul. Integr. Camp. Physiol.

    (1995)
  • O.A. Batuman et al.

    J. Immunol.

    (1995)
  • C. Libert et al.

    J. Exp. Med.

    (1994)
  • J.M. Alcorn et al.

    Hepatology

    (1992)
  • R. Lefering et al.

    Crit. Care Med.

    (1995)
  • R. De Rijk et al.

    J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.

    (1997)
  • C.S. Rock et al.

    Surgery

    (1992)
  • J. Briegel et al.

    Clin. Invest.

    (1994)
  • Cited by (325)

    View all citing articles on Scopus
    View full text