title: Interleukin 2 synthesis in the presence of steroids: a model of steroid resistance.
abstract: In this study interleukin 2 (IL-2) synthesis by human lymphocytes in the presence and absence of prednisolone in a group of normal subjects has been assessed. An association between suppression in vitro of induced phytohaemagglutinin-blastogenesis by prednisolone and synthesis of IL-2 was found. Those subjects whose lymphocytes are identified as steroid-resistant have significantly higher IL-2 activity in the supernatants of both steroid and non-steroid treated lymphocyte cultures than steroid sensitive subjects. The addition of exogenous IL-2 was found to ablate the suppressive effects of steroids on lymphocyte blastogenesis. These results suggest that significantly greater activity of IL-2 in the culture supernatants of steroid resistant subjects may represent a mechanism for glucocorticoid resistance in vitro and help explain the relationship between increased loss of grafts and steroid resistance in renal allograft recipients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004306:Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007376:Interleukin-2; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011239:Prednisolone