title: Modulation of the phenotype and function of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-stimulated dendritic cells by adrenal steroids.
abstract: Cell-mediated immunity, cytokines induced during the specific immune response and T-cell populations are crucial factors for containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Recent reports suggest a cross-regulation between adrenal steroids (glucocorticoids and dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA) and the function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Therefore, we investigated the role of adrenal hormones on the functional capacity of M. tuberculosis-induced dendritic cells (DCs). Cortisol significantly inhibited the functions of M. tuberculosis-induced DCs. Interestingly, the presence of DHEA enhanced the M. tuberculosis-induced expression of MHC I, MHC II and CD86 and also increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Moreover, DHEA improved the production of IL-12 in response to M. tuberculosis stimulation, diminished IL-10 secretion and could not modify TNF-α synthesis. Importantly, we observed that DHEA enhanced the antigen-specific T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ production induced by M. tuberculosis-stimulated DC. These data show for the first time the relevance of the adrenal axis (especially of DHEA) in the modulation of DC function in the context of tuberculosis, a disease where the induction of a Th1 environment by APCs is crucial for the development of an effective immune response to the mycobacteria.
authors: Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y SIDA, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: Matias
authors: M
authors: Angerami
authors: Guadalupe
authors: G
authors: Suarez
authors: Maria Fernanda
authors: MF
authors: Pascutti
authors: Horacio
authors: H
authors: Salomon
authors: Oscar
authors: O
authors: Bottasso
authors: Maria Florencia
authors: MF
authors: Quiroga
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D013256:Steroids; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; adrenal steroids; cytokines; dehydroepiandrosterone; dendritic cells; immunity to infection