Hydrocortisone and the migration of human leucocytes: an indirect effect mediated by mononuclear cells.

  • 1 July 1973
    • journal article
    • Vol. 14  (3) , 417-26
Abstract
Culture of human mononuclear leucocytes in the presence of hydrocortisone results in the appearance in the culture medium of a factor which markedly stimulates the migration of human polymorphonuclear leucocytes in vitro. This effect is not due directly to hydrocortisone, which has an inhibitory effect on polymorph migration. The steroid–mononuclear cell interaction is dependent on the duration and temperature of the culture, and on the concentration of hydrocortisone. It is therefore suggested that an active biological process is involved which may be relevant to the immunosuppressive action of corticosteroids.