Suppression of the Natural Killer Cell Activity of Murine Spleen Cell Cultures by Dexamethasone

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Abstract
Investigations into the mode of action of glucocorticoids on natural killer (NK) cell activity are hindered by the lack of an in vitro model system. The NK activity of spleen cell cultures of several inbred strains of mice was suppressed by treatment with dexamethasone. The in vitro suppression of NK activity was time dependent, requiring at least 5 h incubation in dexamethasone to achieve maximal levels of suppression, and was dose dependent at pharmacologic concentrations. An in vitro model system for studying glucocorticoid effects on NK activity was established. [The ability of these lymphoid cells to lyse many tumor cell lines without prior immunization implicates NK cells as a first line of defense against neoplasia.].

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