title: [Molecular aspects of glucocorticoid sensitivity].
abstract: Glucocorticoids play an essential role in maintaining basal and stress-related homeostasis. Most known effects of glucocorticoids are mediated by the intracellular glucocorticoid receptors. The glucocorticoid sensitivity seems to depend on the amount of receptors expressed and the efficiency of glucocorticoid receptor-mediated signal transduction. Glucocorticoid resistance or hypersensitivity, seen in autoimmune-inflammatory diseases and in metabolic syndrome respectively, can represent the variability of several steps that influence the signaling cascade of glucocorticoid action. The recognition of these steps could provide the understanding of the clinical phenotype and course of such diseases as well as their responsiveness to glucocorticoid therapy. The comprehension of these pathophysiological mechanisms can also improve the possible therapeutic interventions. In this review, we have summarized the multiple factors that have been shown to be involved in this signaling cascade and, thus, to influence glucocorticoid sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Medicina Molecular, Departamento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, SP. ceclau@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Cláudia D C
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.forename: Carlos Alberto
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Longui
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D003907:Dexamethasone