title: Dexamethasone modulates CD2 expression.
abstract: Glucocorticoid hormones (GCs) are able to modulate leukocyte activity. We studied the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on the expression of CD2, an adhesion molecule involved in T-lymphocyte homing and activation. Results of flow cytometry analysis and immunoprecipitation with anti-CD2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) indicated that in vitro treatment with DEX augments CD2 expression in transformed T-cell lines. This effect correlated with a rapid increase in the mRNA and was inhibited by actinomycin-D (AD). The DEX-induced CD2 augmentation was transient, peaked at days 1-2 and returned to the levels of untreated controls at days 3-4. It was a dose-dependent phenomenon, mediated by the GC receptor (GCR), because it was inhibited by the GCR antagonist RU486, and was not induced by other steroids such as testosterone and progesterone. This CD2 modulation could presumably contribute to GC-induced effects on T-cell activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Pathology and Pharmacology, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Migliorati
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nocentini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ronchetti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moraca
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Riccardi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018801:CD2 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D018801:CD2 Antigens; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D003609:Dactinomycin; D015735:Mifepristone; D003907:Dexamethasone