Prednisolone inhibits phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leucocytes via steroid receptor mediated events

Prednisolone, at concentrations between 2.78 x 10(-6) M (1 mug/ml) and 1.39 x 10(-8) M (5 x 10(-3) mug/ml) exerts an inhibitory effect on the phagocytosis of latex particles by normal human polymorphonuclear leucocytes in vitro as assessed by electron microscopical analysis. This inhibition appears to be receptor-mediated, as it is dependent upon RNA and protein synthesis and is glucocorticoid specific.