Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer System
Originally published online as doi:10.1189/jlb.0208104 on July 29, 2008

Published online before print July 29, 2008
This Article
Right arrow Full Text Free
Right arrow Full Text (PDF) Free
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
jlb.0208104v1
84/4/924    most recent
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Tait, A. S.
Right arrow Articles by Sternberg, E. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Tait, A. S.
Right arrow Articles by Sternberg, E. M.
(Journal of Leukocyte Biology. 2008;84:924-931.)
© 2008 by Society for Leukocyte Biology

The role of glucocorticoids and progestins in inflammatory, autoimmune, and infectious disease

A. Sasha Tait, Cherie L. Butts and Esther M. Sternberg1

Section on Neuroendocrine Immunology and Behavior, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA

1 Correspondence: Section on Neuroendocrine Immunology and Behavior, National Institute of Mental Health/NIH, 5625 Fishers Lane (MSC-9401), Rockville, MD 20852, USA. E-mail: sternbee{at}mail.nih.gov

ABSTRACT

A bidirectional communication exists between the CNS and the immune system. The autonomic nervous system, through neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, works in parallel with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis through the actions of glucocorticoids to modulate inflammatory events. The immune system, through the action of cytokines and other factors, in turn, activates the CNS to orchestrate negative-feedback mechanisms that keep the immune response in check. Disruption of these interactions has been associated with a number of syndromes including inflammatory, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases, metabolic and psychiatric disorders, and the development of shock. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis also plays an important part in regulating immunity through the secretion of sex hormones. Although numerous studies have established a role for immunomodulation by estrogen and testosterone, the role of progesterone is less well understood. Progesterone is crucial for reproductive organ development and maintenance of pregnancy, and more recent studies have clearly shown its role as an important immune regulator. The main focus of this review will be about the role of steroid hormones, specifically glucocorticoids and progesterone, in inflammatory responses and infectious diseases and how dysregulation of their actions may contribute to development of autoimmune and inflammatory disease.

Key Words: progesterone • polymorphism • inflammation




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Phil Trans R Soc BHome page
K. Acevedo-Whitehouse and A. L. J. Duffus
Effects of environmental change on wildlife health
Phil Trans R Soc B, November 27, 2009; 364(1534): 3429 - 3438.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Exp Biol MedHome page
Z. Stojic-Vukanic, A. Rauski, D. Kosec, K. Radojevic, I. Pilipovic, and G. Leposavic
Dysregulation of T-Cell Development in Adrenal Glucocorticoid-Deprived Rats
Exp Biol Med, September 1, 2009; 234(9): 1067 - 1074.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]