title: Glucocorticoids modulate soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in vivo depending on the state of immune activation and the duration of glucocorticoid exposure.
abstract: We have studied the modulation of circulating soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels by glucocorticoids in subjects with different states of immune activation. In contrast to normal subjects, 40 mg methylprednisolone administration over 6 days resulted in a significant fall of elevated circulating sIL-2R levels (p < 0.05) in patients with active atopic dermatitis, most pronounced in those patients showing the highest pre-treatment levels of sIL-2R and scores of disease activity. Following administration of 1 mg dexamethasone, sIL-2R levels remained unchanged both in normal subjects and patients with atopic dermatitis. Circulating sIL-2R levels were significantly decreased in patients with long-term hypercortisolism due to Cushing's disease (p < 0.05) and significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in hypocortisolemic patients. Blockade of adrenal cortisol secretion by 1.5 g metyrapone did not change sIL-2R levels in normal subjects and sIL-2R levels were not affected in depressive patients, either before or after clinical remission or following 1.5 g metyrapone administration. These data suggest that the effect of glucocorticoid administration on circulating sIL-2R levels depends on the state of immune activation and the duration of glucocorticoid exposure. The circulating sIL-2R levels show significant changes in patients with chronic alterations of endogenous glucocorticoid secretion and in response to prolonged glucocorticoid therapy in disorders with immune activation.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Institute, München, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rupprecht
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arzt
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Stalla
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rupprecht
mesh_terms: D000224:Addison Disease / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000276:immunology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008797:Metyrapone / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D003907:Dexamethasone; D008797:Metyrapone