EFFECTS OF STEROIDS ON THE SECRETION OF IMMUNOREGULATORY FACTORS BY THYMIC EPITHELIAL-CELL CULTURES

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (2) , 401-407
Abstract
Rat thymic epithelial cells were cultured for 39 days in the presence of various concentrations of estradiol, testosterone, progesterone and corticosterone and the supernatants assessed for effects on the stimulation of cells from the thymus, bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen, with several agents. All the steroids, except progesterone, significantly regulated the secretion of immunoregulatory factors by the epithelial cells at physiological levels, but the effects were dose dependent. Fractionation of active supernatants indicated that the capacity to enhance or depress cellular proliferation was mainly associated with substances having MW > 30,000 or < 1000, respectively. The idea that certain steroids can influence the immune response indirectly through the thymus was supported.