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Glucocorticoids inhibit proliferation and interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 secretion by aeroallergen-specific T-helper
I C Crocker1, M K Church, S Newton
1Creighton University Allergic Disease Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Background:
Glucocorticoids play an important role in the treatment of allergic disease. The atopic process, itself, may reduce the response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to these drugs.
Objective:
In this study we compared the effect of hydrocortisone (HC), beclomethasone (BDP), and mometasone (MF) on interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 secretion by aeroallergen-specific T-helper type 2 cells (Th2) and proliferation of PBMC from atopic donors.
Methods:
Cells were incubated with drug before stimulating with phytohemagglutinin and assessing proliferation (PBMC) and cytokine secretion (Th2).
Results:
The glucocorticoids concentration dependently inhibited proliferation and cytokine secretion, but had less effect on proliferation of cells from severe atopics than on cells from those whose symptoms required little treatment. The rank order of potency was MF (average IC50 0.01 nM) > BDP (4.0 nM) > HC (250 nM).
Conclusions:
These experiments demonstrate glucocorticoid inhibition of IL-4 and IL-5 secretion by human Th2-like cells and proliferation of PBMC from severely and mildly allergic donors.