title: Endothelial Response to Glucocorticoids in Inflammatory Diseases.
abstract: The endothelium plays a crucial role in inflammation. A balanced control of inflammation requires the action of glucocorticoids (GCs), steroidal hormones with potent cell-specific anti-inflammatory properties. Besides the classic anti-inflammatory effects of GCs on leukocytes, recent studies confirm that endothelial cells also represent an important target for GCs. GCs regulate different aspects of endothelial physiology including expression of adhesion molecules, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and maintenance of endothelial barrier integrity. However, the regulation of endothelial GC sensitivity remains incompletely understood. In this review, we specifically examine the endothelial response to GCs in various inflammatory diseases ranging from multiple sclerosis, stroke, sepsis, and vasculitis to atherosclerosis. Shedding more light on the cross talk between GCs and endothelium will help to improve existing therapeutic strategies and develop new therapies better tailored to the needs of patients.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium.
authors.forename: Karolina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Zielińska
authors.affiliation: Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab, VIB-UGent, VIB Medical Biotechnology Center , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Moortel
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium.
authors.forename: Ghislain
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Opdenakker
authors.affiliation: Receptor Research Laboratories, Nuclear Receptor Lab, VIB-UGent, VIB Medical Biotechnology Center , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Karolien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Bosscher
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium.
authors.forename: Philippe E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Van den Steen
keywords: adhesion molecules; cytokines; endothelium; glucocorticoid resistance; glucocorticoids; inflammation; tight junctions