Thymic hormone containing cells--IX. Steroids in vitro modulate thymulin secretion by human and murine thymic epithelial cells.
We investigated the in vitro effects (kinetics and dose-response) of adrenal and sexual steroid hormones on the secretion of thymulin, a thymic hormone, by human thymic epithelial cells in primary cultures as well as in a rat epithelial cell line. We demonstrated that all steroids tested, in a range of physiological doses, stimulated thymulin production to various extents. Progesterone and estradiol, however, were revealed to be the most efficient. Specific steroid antagonists abrogated the steroid-induced stimulation of thymulin production. These findings confirm our previous in vivo results and demonstrate that steroid hormones can act directly on thymic epithelial cells to modulate their endocrine production.
Savino
W
W
INSERM U25, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France.
Bartoccioni
E
E
Homo-Delarche
F
F
Gagnerault
M C
MC
Itoh
T
T
Dardenne
M
M
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating / Q000378:metabolism*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013951:Thymus Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*
D013951:Thymus Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D003907:Dexamethasone; D013935:Thymic Factor, Circulating