Glucocorticoid receptors and their functions in lymphocytes

Steroid Binding at σ-"Opioid" Receptors

“…Even though there are also CYH receptors on peripheral blood lymphocytes (35), which are mainly T cells (34), several lines of evidence speak against the hypothesis put forward by Su et al (1). First, the fact that dexamethasone (which is a potent glucocorticoid agonist) and corticosterone were active, while androgens and estrogens were not (2), suggests that the inhibition of granulomas was mediated through glucocorticoid receptors (2), which are present in all cell lineages of the immune system (36). Second, the fact that the three "anti-inflammatory" steroids cited in (1) were progesterone, 1 l-desoxycorticosterone, and corticosterone is consistent tested.…”

“…Finally, the fact that the glucocorticoid receptor has considerable affinity for all three of these steroids (36) makes it likely that progesterone can efficiently substitute for corticosterone, the major glucocorticoid hormone in the rat (36) 10,047 by a factor not greater than 2. The fact that CSF levels of cortisol (which normally reaches total serum levels of "600 nM, similar to progesterone levels in late pregnancy) were found to be on average 25 nM is consistent with the extrapolation made for progesterone ( Fig.…”

A reconsideration of specificity in psychosomatic medicine: from olfaction to the lymphocyte.

“…Most, if not all, effects of adrenocortical hormones on lymphocyte function have been thought to be related to the interaction of glucocorticoids with specific receptors on the lymphocyte-the target cell. It has been shown, however, that the number of receptors does not reflect the steroid sensitivity of the lymphocyte (83). In an effort to understand further the effect of glucocorticoids on lymphocyte function attention has been directed to the effect of these steroids on some of the regulatory processes involved in activating lymphocytes.…”

Modulation of Glucocorticoid Effect in Thymus of Adrenalectomized-Diabetic Rat

“…16 (1984) Alicia Roldan and Marta B. Castillo tions separated by BSA gradient that the steroidal inhibition of H-uridine incorporation increases from the upper cell fraction of the gradient downwards. However, no changes in the number of glucocorticoid binding sites in the different fractions were observed (Homo, Picard, Durant, Gagne, Simon, Dardenne and Duval 1980).…”