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Glucocorticoid regulation of inflammation: the plot thickens
1Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University, Dept of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia. eric.morand@med.monash.edu.au
Summary
Endogenous glucocorticoids, crucial for immune responses, regulate inflammation in a concentration-dependent manner. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) induction by glucocorticoids offers a mechanism for this biphasic immune regulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Glucocorticoids are widely used to treat immune-inflammatory diseases.
- The role of endogenous glucocorticoids in regulating inflammation is not fully understood.
- Basal glucocorticoid levels may be essential for a normal immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of endogenous adrenal glucocorticoids to inflammatory regulation.
- To explore the mechanistic explanation for the biphasic, concentration-dependent interaction between glucocorticoids and the immune-inflammatory system.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on glucocorticoid-immune interactions.
- Focus on the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as a glucocorticoid-inducible cytokine.
Main Results:
- Glucocorticoids are increased by inflammatory stress, limiting inflammation.
- A biphasic, concentration-dependent relationship exists between glucocorticoids and immune-inflammatory responses.
- Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is inducible by glucocorticoids.
Conclusions:
- Glucocorticoid-inducible MIF provides a potential mechanism for the observed biphasic regulation of inflammatory responses.
- Endogenous glucocorticoids play a critical, albeit complex, role in modulating immune and inflammatory processes.