Highlights TBT and TPT induce the transcription of 11β-HSD2 in JEG-3 cells Upregulation of 11β-HSD2 results in reduced cortisol-dependent activation of the GR RXRα is involved in the TBT and TPT induced effect on 11β-HSD2 Fludioxonil and chlorotriphenylsilane activate RXRα and induce 11β-HSD2 expression