Activation of human B lymphocytes. IV. Regulatory effects of corticosteroids on the triggering signal in the plaque-forming cell response of human peripheral blood B lymphocytes to polyclonal activation.

In vitro hydrocortisone in physiologic and pharmacologically attainable concentrations caused a marked enhancement of the PWM-induced PFC response of normal human peripheral blood B lymphocytes. This effect was seen only when hydrocortisone was added within the first 24 hr of culture and only when hydrocortisone and PWM were present together in cultures. Only suprapharmacologic concentrations of hydrocortisone (10(-3) M) were capable of suppressing early B cell activation. Late stages of antibody production and secretion were resistant to suppression by even these extraordinarily high concentrations. Hydrocortisone did not replace the T cell requirement of PWM-induced PFC responses. A single dose of in vivo hydrocortisone (400 mg) to normal adult volunteers did not produce this enhancing effect when PFC responses were measured in vitro in the absence of hydrocortisone. The data strongly suggest that the enhancing effect of hydrocortisone was due not to elimination of naturally occurring suppressor cells, but to a modulation of the triggering signal either directly on the B cell itself or via the balance of positive and negative T cell regulation of B cell activation.     

Influence of hydrocortisone on the response to noradrenaline of segments of isolated coronary arteries in the presence of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent

The effect of hydrocortisone on the noradrenaline-induces contraction, after propranolol, was studied in vitro. Contraction of response to noradrenaline were increased by hydrocortisone. We suggest that the hydrocortisone influence depends on inhibition of catecol-O-metiltransferase (COMT).     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor antagonizes hydrocortisone-induced increases in cytosolic IkappaBalpha

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an inflammatory cytokine secreted by several cell types, including mononuclear and pituitary cells. It has also been shown to counteract cortisol-induced inhibition of inflammatory cytokine secretion. The purpose of this study was to determine whether MIF antagonized the effect of hydrocortisone on the NF-kappaB/IkappaB signal transduction pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Physiological doses of hydrocortisone (50-200 ng/ml) diminished both the LPS-stimulated decrease in cytosolic IkappaBalpha levels and the subsequent increase in nuclear NF-kappaB DNA binding. In the presence of both LPS and hydrocortisone, 1 ng/ml of MIF antagonized the effects of hydrocortisone, resulting in decreased cytosolic IkappaBalpha levels (P < 0.05) and increased nuclear NF-kappaB DNA binding (P < 0.05). In the absence of hydrocortisone, MIF had no effect on LPS-induced decreases in IkappaBalpha. In the absence of LPS, MIF inhibited hydrocortisone-induced increases in IkappaBalpha (P = 0.03). Thus the mechanism by which MIF antagonizes the effect of hydrocortisone on the NF-kB/IkappaB signal transduction pathway is through inhibiting the ability of hydrocortisone to increase cytosolic IkappaBalpha.     

Effects and interactions of epidermal growth factor, insulin, hydrocortisone, and estradiol on the cloning of human tumor cells

We investigated the effects and interactions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, hydrocortisone, and estradiol on the growth of 18 freshly obtained human tumors in our human tumor stem cell assay (HTSCA) cultured at a reduced serum concentration (8.5% ml). All possible combinations of these four supplement factors were added to the assay to determine the ability of each component to enhance colony formation. We found that hydrocortisone was the most effective single supplement in stimulating colony growth in the HTSCA. Supplementation with insulin, estradiol, or both had some growth-promoting effect but not as great as hydrocortisone. Moreover, the addition of insulin, estradiol, or both often demonstrated a negative interaction with hydrocortisone. EGF supplementation alone; in dual combination with insulin, estradiol, or hydrocortisone; or in combination with estradiol and insulin in the assay did not significantly increase colony formation. However, EGF added to the cultures containing hydrocortisone with insulin and/or estradiol significantly increased colony formation and reversed the negative effect of insulin and estradiol on hydrocortisone activity. Thus, under conditions of our assay, the most effective combination in promoting colony growth contained all four factors.     

Hydrocortisone in culture protects the blast cells in acute myeloblastic leukemia from the lethal effects of cytosine arabinoside

The blast cells in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) respond to many of the same regulatory mechanisms that control normal hemopoiesis. These include the growth factors that bind to membrane receptors and steroid hormones or vitamins that have intracellular receptors. We report the effects in culture of the steroid glucocorticoid hydrocortisone on freshly explanted AML blasts from patients and on two continuous AML cell lines. Only small changes in clonogenic cell numbers in suspension cultures were seen in the presence of hydrocortisone. The most striking effect of the hormone was on the sensitivity of blasts cells to cytosine arabinoside (ara-C). In contrast to the response of AML blast cells to retinoic acid, a ligand for intracellular steroid receptors that sensitizes some blast populations to ara-C, hydrocortisone reduced the toxic effects of the drug. The protective action of hydrocortisone was not mediated through the cell cycle since exposure of blasts to hydrocortisone did not affect the percentage of cells in DNA synthesis as measured with the tritiated thymidine (3HTdR) "suicide" technique. The hydrocortisone effect could be demonstrated using a pulse (20 min) exposure protocol. Blasts pulsed with increasing specific activities of 3HTdR showed the usual response pattern with an initial loss in plating efficiency to about 50% of control, followed by a plateau, regardless of whether the cells had been exposed to hydrocortisone. Control blasts exposed to increasing ara-C concentrations gave very similar dose-response curves; in striking contrast, blast cells cultured in hydrocortisone, then pulsed with ara-C did not lose colony-forming ability even though the same population was sensitive to 3HTdR. The hydrocortisone effect was dose and time related; protection from ara-C increased from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M and was seen after 4 hr exposure but required 8 hr to reach a maximum. We conclude that hydrocortisone can protect blasts from the lethal effects of ara-C even while the cells are in active DNA synthesis.     

The inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone on the chicken embryo cartilage somatomedin assay.

In a study of the effects of hydrocortisone on the embryonic chicken cartilage somatomedin assay, in the absence and in the presence of normal human reference serum (NHRS), it was found that: (1) The basal uptake of 35S into chicken embryo pelvic cartilage was reduced when hydrocortisone hemisuccinate was added to the incubation medium in concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 1.5 X 10(5) ng/ml. There was a correlation between the inhibitory effect and the quantity of hydrocortisone added (r=-0.869; p less than 0.01). (2) The 35S uptake stimulated by 1.25 and 5% serum present in the incubation medium was reduced by hydrocortisone in a final concentration range of 150-1.5 X 10(5) ng/ml incubation medium. The minimal dose was 1,000 times that required to affect the basal 35S uptake. (3) When hydrocortisone was directly added to the NHRS, its interfering effect on the 35S uptake stimulated by 1.25, 5 and 20% of serum in the incubation medium was demonstrable with 5 X 10(5) ng hydrocortisone/ml serum. This concentration exceeded the physiological level of hydrocortisone by a factor of 5,000.     

Progesterone and prolactin are both required for suppression of the induction of rat alpha-lactalbumin activity

Progesterone prevents lactation during pregnancy. This anti-lactogenic effect includes suppression of the advent of alpha-lactalbumin activity, an effect which prevents the formation of lactose. Alpha lactalbumin activity can be induced to some extent in pregnant rat mammary explants by insulin and hydrocortisone alone, and to a greater extent with prolactin in addition, or with EGF in addition. Physiological levels of progesterone markedly inhibit the induction in the presence of prolactin plus insulin and hydrocortisone, only weakly inhibit in the presence of insulin and hydrocortisone alone, and have no inhibitory effect in the presence of EGF plus insulin and hydrocortisone. Prolactin permits some inhibition in the presence of EGF. The results suggest that progesterone does not subvert the essential insulin or glucocorticoid signals. It also appears that transduction of the prolactin signal is required in order that progesterone effectively block induction of alpha-lactalbumin activity.     

Precocious induction of pepsinogen in the stomach of suckling mice by hormones

Effects of hormones on pepsinogen activity in mouse stomach were investigated by enzyme assay and electron microscopy. Administration of hydrocortisone alone to mice on days 5–10 increased the enzyme activity in the stomach to as much as 4.5-fold that of untreated mice and the increase was dose dependent. Thyroxine also evoked precocious differentiation of the stomach. The effects of thyroxine and hydrocortisone were additive. Injections of insulin had little effect when given alone, or in combination with other hormones. Injection of hydrocortisone alone or plus thyroxine also caused morphological differentiation of the chief cells in the stomach mucosa. Administration of thyroxine to mice on days 15–20 induced as much enzyme activity as that induced by hydrocortisone, but neither of these hormones had any effect when injected after day 23.These results suggest that besides hydrocortisone, thyroxine is also involved in differentiation of the stomach in mice for the first 20 days after birth and that the normal increase of pepsinogen activity in the stomach of mice during the late suckling period is brought about by serum glucocorticoids, possibly with thyroxine.     

Regulation of glucosamine synthetase activity by cholesterol and hydrocortisone

The effects of cholesterol and hydrocortisone (cortisol) on the activity of purified glucosamine synthetase from rat liver was studied in vitro. It was found that the enzyme activity is increased by cholesterol and inhibited by hydrocortisone. These steroids block the allosteric effect of vitamin K1 on the enzyme. There is evidence testifying to the allosteric type of cholesterol and hydrocortisone effects on glucosamine synthetase.     

Effect of hydrocortisone on phenylhydrazine-induced Heinz-body anemia

The effect of hydrocortisone on phenylhydrazine-induced anemia has been examined in adrenalectomized rats. The extent of hemolysis in adrenalectomized rats treated with phenylhydrazine was significantly higher than in normal and adrenalectomized rats supplemented with hydrocortisone.     

The effect of hydrocortisone on lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis

This paper reports the results of experiments designed to analyze the mechanism by which hydrocortisone suppresses the cell-mediated cytolysis produced by sensitized lymphocytes. We used an in vitro system in which rat lymph node cells were sensitized to, and caused cytolysis of mouse fibroblasts.We found that hydrocortisone probably suppresses cytolysis by preventing the primary activation of the cytolytic mechanism by target cell antigens. Suppression was most efficient when hydrocortisone was added at the beginning of the cytolytic reaction. The cytolytic mechanism itself appeared to remain intact, and could be activated by the lectin concanavalin A (con A) despite the presence of hydrocortisone.Suppression of cytolysis could not be related to any general inhibition of DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis. The influence of hydrocortisone on cytolysis was not modified by vitamin A (retinol), an agent which antagonizes the effect of hydrocortisone on lysosome membranes.Hydrocortisone was found to be less effective in suppressing the activity of lymphocytes that had been sensitized initially in the presence of hydrocortisone.     

氢化可的松诱导特发性血小板减少性紫癜淋巴细胞凋亡和增殖抑制

探讨氢化可的松对儿童急性特发性血小板减少性紫癜（AITP）外周血淋巴细胞增殖和凋亡的影响,对12例确诊的儿童AITP外周血淋巴细胞进行体外培养,用流式细胞术观察糖皮质激素处理后外周血淋巴细胞凋亡数量的变化,并用Wst-1（四氮唑盐）测定代表增殖的活细胞数。结果显示,激素处理组淋巴细胞凋亡率明显高于对照组,而活细胞数则明显低于对照组;激素处理后的外周血淋巴细胞凋亡率明显高于对照组,而活细胞数则明显低于对照组;激素处理后的外周血淋巴细胞凋亡率也明显高于处理前和正常对照组,均具有显性差异。结果表明,氢化可的松具有明显的诱导淋巴细胞凋亡和增殖抑制作用,说明糖皮质激素可通过诱导AITP外血淋巴细胞凋亡和增殖抑制发探治疗作用。     

Analysis of cell division by time-lapse cinematographic studies of hydrocortisone-treated embryonic lung fibroblasts

Hydrocortisone is a modulator of cell division and has been shown to prolong the replicative in vitro life span of human embryonic lung fibroblasts. Time lapse cinematography was used to analyze the proliferative behavior of individual cells in populations of fibroblasts exposed to hydrocortisone in young cultures during a single growth cycle and in aged cultures that had been continuously exposed to hydrocortisone. Results indicate that hydrocortisone causes a decrease in the interdivision time (IDT) of a portion of the cells in the population and this effect is augmented after continuous exposure to hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone does not appear to increase the number of initial dividers in the population but increases growth rate in the early stages of the culture period. Analysis of mother-daughter IDT pairs further suggests that hydrocortisone exerts its effects on IDT independently for a given cell.     

Inhibition of proliferation of normal and neoplastic liver cells under conditions of prolonged hormonal stimulation

Single injections of rats with hydrocortisone led to the inhibition of regenerating liver cell proliferation and protooncogene++ Ha-ras mRNA synthesis within 48 hours of hormonal induction. Administration of hydrocortisone to rats daily for 10 days resulted in a persistent decrease of the liver cell capacity to proliferate in response to partial hepatectomy. This inhibiting effect was observed for at least 7 days after cessation of hormonal stimulation; the level of Ha-ras mRNA was thereby decreased. A marked inhibition of ascite hepatoma cell growth was demonstrated after injections of those cells to mice induced with hydrocortisone for 10 days. Such a persistent effect of hydrocortisone is thought to be due to the depletion of the hormone-dependent hepatotrophic factors. The effect of the glucocorticoid hormone in vivo can be supposed to involve both the direct and indirect regulation of target cell proliferation. The latter is mediated via the changes in the activity of exogenous factors which control cell growth and proliferation.     

Effects of Glucocorticoids and Epinephrine on the Modulatory Action of Purines in the Frog Neuromuscular Junction

The effect of corticoids (hydrocortisone and dexamethasone) and epinephrine on the presynaptic action of purines was studied at the neuromuscular junction of the frog under two-electrode voltage-clamp conditions. Daily administration of hydrocortisone/dexamethasone (100 mg/kg into the lymphatic system) increased initially and later depressed the amplitude of multiquantum end-plate currents evoked by motor nerve stimulation. An initial facilitatory phase of the hormone action was accompanied by removal of the presynaptic action of ATP (for hydrocortisone only). Within the later phase (2 weeks of hydrocortisone administration), the inhibitory action of ATP was restored once again. The counteraction of ATP effect was reproduced under superfusion of the isolated muscle by a physiological solution containing hydrocortisone (not dexamethasone), indicating the nongenomic nature of the action of the hormone on presynaptic P2 receptors. This proved to be true in experiments on animals, which were stressed 30 min prior to the beginning of the experiment by electrical stimulation in a special cage. Independently of acute or chronic administration of hydrocortisone, the presynaptic action of another purine, adenosine, was preserved. Epinephrine only partially abolished the inhibitory effect of purines, which is indicative of the difference in the paths of incorporation of the biological effects of these agents. We suggest that prevention of the inhibitory action of ATP might be one of the components of a facilitatory acute stress reaction, while such an inhibitory feedback action is missing under chronic stress conditions.     

Effect of hydrocortisone on peripheral blood phagocytic cells under beta-adrenoreceptors blockade

The effect of hydrocortisone (50 mg/kg body wt i.p.) under beta-adrenergic receptors blockade (four subcutaneous injections of propranolol in single dose of 5 mg/kg body wt with 3 h interval) on phagocytic activity and oxygen dependent microbicidal activity in NBT-test of peripheral blood phagocytic cells in male Wistar rats was investigated. It was established that hydrocortisone stimulated neutrophil phagocytic activity through 6, 24 and 48 h after hormone injection and decreased oxygen-dependent microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells in NBT-test. Hydrocortisone in vitro (500 ng/ml) decreased neutrophil phagocytic activity that indicated on realization of stimulating effect of hydrocortisone in vivo through complex of other indirect mechanisms. Administration of hydrocortisone led to depression of eosinophil phagocytosis and lesser decrease in monocyte phagocytic activity. Hydrocortisone effects were significantly modified under blockade of beta-adrenoceptors that indicated on its mediation by endogenous catecholamines through modulation of beta-adrenoceptor expression.     

Specific binding of H3-GABA by synaptic membranes of hypothalamus and hippocampus in rats after adrenalectomy and administration of hydrocortisone and corticosterone]

It has been shown that single hydrocortisone administration increased 3H-GABA binding by hypothalamic synaptic membranes. ACTH administration enhanced binding in both studied brain structures. Multiple hydrocortisone administration did not effect 3H-GABA binding by hypothalamic and hippocampal membranes, while multiple ACTH administration caused the decrease in mediator binding by hypothalamic membranes and increased its level in hippocampal membranes. Adrenalectomy did not change 3H-gaba binding and single hydrocortisone administration to adrenalectomized rats increased 3H-GABA binding only by hypothalamic synaptic membranes.     

Glucocorticoid-induced heat resistance in mammalian cells

Chinese hamster ovary cells were incubated for 24 h in a variety of steroid hormones (testosterone, progesterone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, and ecdysterone) to test their effect on the subsequent heat resistance of the cells. Only the glucocorticoids, hydrocortisone and dexamethasone, consistently induced heat resistance. Heat resistance induced by hydrocortisone at 10(-6)M developed after a lag of 2-3 h and was maximal by 20 h. Resistance was expressed in both asynchronous and plateau phase cells and was maintained for several days in medium without added hormone. Incubation of cells with hydrocortisone and a 100-fold excess of progesterone (a glucocorticoid antagonist) partially inhibited the development of resistance. Prior exposure to hydrocortisone did not inhibit the subsequent development of heat induced thermotolerance. However, cells made thermotolerant by prior heat shock did not display further heat resistance with hydrocortisone treatment. There was no evidence for the induction of heat shock proteins (HSP) by these steroid hormones although the 28 kDHSP was further enhanced by combined heat and hydrocortisone. Our results indicate that heat resistance in mammalian cells may be induced by physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids and that the characteristics of this resistance are consistent with a receptor mediated event.     

Effect of glucocorticoids on the endocrine system of the pancreas of the pigeon and rat after a food load

The level of 35S-methionine incorporation (in 15, 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24 h) has been investigated in A- and B-cells of the pigeon and rat pancreatic islets against the background of excessive injection of hydrocortisone. The pigeon and rat A- and B-endocrinocytes respond in a similar was to the excess of hydrocortisone. An accelerated elimination of the isotope from the pigeon A- and B-endocrinocytes is noted, while in the rat the effect of the excessive hydrocortisone is opposite.     

Effect of hydrocortisone on superoxide radical production by phagocytosing spleen cells

Superoxide radical production by mouse phagocytic spleen cells was shown to be essentially increased 2 hours following intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone acetate at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The addition of hydrocortisone to the suspension of mouse spleen cells has resulted in linear dependence of hormone concentration in the incubation medium on the maximum rate of superoxide radical production. The mechanism of hydrocortisone stimulating effect on the activity of plasma membrane-located NAD(P)H-oxidase of phagocytic cells is being discussed.