Effect of betamethasone on fetal macrophage function: depression of adherence of immunoglobulin-coated red blood cells.
In this study, betamethasone was found to significantly inhibit the binding of immunoglobulin-coated O Rh-positive red cells to fetal macrophages. At a dose of 0.15 mg%, betamethasone depressed immune rosette formation to 44% of controls (p less than 0.01); and a dose of 0.60 mg% resulted in an average depression to 22%. This in vitro effect may reflect important alterations in in vivo immune function in infants delivered from mothers who have received antenatal corticosteroids.
D001623:Betamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D011247:Pregnancy; D012397:Rosette Formation
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001623:Betamethasone