Glucocorticoids inhibit proliferation and interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 secretion by aeroallergen-specific T-helper type 2 cell lines.
BACKGROUND
Glucocorticoids play an important role in the treatment of allergic disease. The atopic process, itself, may reduce the response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to these drugs.


OBJECTIVE
In this study we compared the effect of hydrocortisone (HC), beclomethasone (BDP), and mometasone (MF) on interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 secretion by aeroallergen-specific T-helper type 2 cells (Th2) and proliferation of PBMC from atopic donors.


METHODS
Cells were incubated with drug before stimulating with phytohemagglutinin and assessing proliferation (PBMC) and cytokine secretion (Th2).


RESULTS
The glucocorticoids concentration dependently inhibited proliferation and cytokine secretion, but had less effect on proliferation of cells from severe atopics than on cells from those whose symptoms required little treatment. The rank order of potency was MF (average IC50 0.01 nM) > BDP (4.0 nM) > HC (250 nM).


CONCLUSIONS
These experiments demonstrate glucocorticoid inhibition of IL-4 and IL-5 secretion by human Th2-like cells and proliferation of PBMC from severely and mildly allergic donors.
Crocker
I C
IC
Creighton University Allergic Disease Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
Church
M K
MK
Newton
S
S
Townley
R G
RG
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D002460:Cell Line; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015847:Interleukin-4