Circulating human plasmacytoid dendritic cells are highly sensitive to corticosteroid administration

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Abstract
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), the major interferon-producingcell type found in human blood, have been implicated in the pathogenesisof systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Previous studies in SLE have shown substantial deviations from normal in this minor but immunologically important leukocyte population.Many of the lupus patients studied were receiving corticosteroids.To determine the effects of steroid administration on pDC in healthy adults, four volunteerswere given prednisone, 15-30 mg daily, for 4 days. Both counts of pDC, and their ability to produceIFN-were significantly reduced (P 0.02 and 0.004, respectively) during steroid administration, and rapidly recovered after discontinuation of the hormones. The overall reduction in pDC-derived IFN appeared to be attributable to falls of both number of circulating cells and of IFN produced per pDC. The effects observed with pDC were comparable in magnitude but opposite in direction to that observed for granulocytes. In contrast, other blood leukocytes were little affected during steroid therapy.