title: Cytoplasmic receptor levels and glucocorticoid response in human lymphoblastoid cell lines.
abstract: The cytolethal response to treatment with prednisolone was investigated in vitro in eight human lymphoblastoid cell lines containing varying concentrations of specific cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors. A similar response was observed in seven of the lines irrespective of their concentration of cytoplasmic receptors and pharmacological doses of steroid, well above those required to saturate receptors in cell-free extracts, were required for a massive lethal response. One cell line derived from Burkitt's lymphoma was refractory to lethal effects even with pharmacological doses of steroid. A similar unresponsiveness to the cytolethal effect of prednisolone in vitro was observed in fresh lymphoblasts derived from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia despite evidence of a satisfactory clinical response to therapy which included steroid. The resistance of human lymphoblastoid cells to treatment with glucocorticoids in vitro may result from a defect in activation subsequent to the binding of steroid to cytoplasmic receptors.
mesh_terms: D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism*; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000378:metabolism; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013997:Time Factors; D014529:Uridine / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011239:Prednisolone; D014529:Uridine