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Related Experiment Videos

Glucocorticoids and the Th1/Th2 balance.

Ilia J Elenkov1

  • 1Clinical Neuroendocrinology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 2D46, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Elenkovi@mail.nih.gov

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|July 22, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Glucocorticoids (GCs) selectively suppress cellular immunity (Th1) while enhancing humoral immunity (Th2), potentially protecting against inflammatory damage. Changes in GCs levels impact susceptibility to infections and immune-related diseases.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Stress Physiology

Background:

  • Glucocorticoids (GCs) are key stress hormones with immunomodulatory effects.
  • Recent evidence suggests GCs selectively impact T helper cell subsets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which GCs modulate the Th1/Th2 immune balance.
  • To understand the implications of GC-induced immune shifts in health and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of accumulated evidence over the last 5-10 years.
  • Analysis of cytokine production profiles in response to GCs.
  • Correlation of GC levels with immune responses and disease states.

Main Results:

  • GCs inhibit Th1-associated cytokines (IL-12, IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, TNF-alpha) production.

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  • GCs upregulate Th2-associated cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-13) production.
  • This leads to a shift from cellular to humoral immunity, rather than generalized immunosuppression.

    • Conclusions:

    • Increased GCs during stress may protect against excessive inflammation by suppressing Th1 responses.
    • Modulation of the Th1/Th2 balance by GCs affects susceptibility to infections, autoimmune, and allergic diseases.