Effect of corticosteroids on human in vitro anamnestic response.

When human peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of the antigens streptodornase (SKSD) and allogeneic lymphocytes (MLC), increased rates of DNA synthesis were observed 4 to 6 days laer. If these cell cultures were continued to 12 days, the rates of DNA synthesis returned to control levels. On rechallenging these cells with the same antigens, an accelerated response was observed. The corticosteroid preparations hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone suppressed both of these responses and also impaired the ability of the 12-day cultures to generate cells responsible for the accelerated secondary response. Although cells cultured for 12 days in the presence of SKSD and hydrocortisone responded poorly to SKSD rechallenge, they responded well in MLC. Hence, the suppressive effect was not completely unselective.