Abstract
The effect of steroid compounds on the in vitro production of immunoglobulins was evaluated in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). In a reverse hemolytic plaque assay the addition of 10-5 to 10-8 M hydrocortisone to adult PBMC's in the absence of other stimulants or mitogens resulted in the dramatic induction of immunoglobulin secreting cells (IgSC). This response ranged from a 2-70 fold increase, comparable to or greater than that produced by pokeweed mitogen. Stimulation of IgSC by steroids was first seen after 48 hrs in culture and peaked at 8-10 days. IgG, IgA, and IgM production were all enhanced. All gluocorticoids evaluated, but not androgens, estrogens or steroids not binding to the glucocorticoid receptor, were capable of mediating this effect. The induction of IgSC was dependent on both T cells and monocytes. Glucocorticoids did not stimulate a detectable proliferative response in the cultures. In contrast to the above findings with adult cells, no enhancement of IgSC production could be demonstrated by cord blood lymphocytes at any time during culture or at any dose of steroid compound evaluated. Cord blood could produce IgSC when stimulated with Epstein-Barr virus. The capacity of glucocorticoids to stimulate functional maturation of adult B cells to become IgSC in the absence of cellular proliferation, while being unable to stimulate cord blood B cells, suggests that glucocorticoids may be functioning as maturation agents for memory B cells.
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Grayaon, J., Dooley, N., Koski, I. et al. 920 EFFECTS OF STEROID HORMONES ON IMMUNOGLOBULIN PRODUCTION IN ADULT AMD CORD BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 596 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00945
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-00945