Endocrine Abstracts

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Active resolution of inflammation is a previously unrecognized process essential for tissue homeostasis. Monocytes and macrophages may either promote or down-regulate inflammatory reactions depending on their state of activation. The effects of glucocorticoids (GCs), the most widely used immunosuppressive drugs, on monocytes are currently not well defined. By analyzing the GC-induced expression pattern in human monocytes by microarray technology and functional clustering we de...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are used to treat inflammatory diseases because they downregulate expression of numerous inflammatory mediators. This is at least partly achieved through functional interference of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with transcription factors such as NF-κB (transrepression). On the other hand, activation of transcription by GR is responsible for some of the side effects of GCs. Efforts to improve the safety profile of GCs are focused on the identificat...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the most commonly used anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs. Their efficacy seems to be caused by the interference of the ligand-activated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) with many pro-inflammatory pathways via different mechanisms. The ubiquitous expression of the GR is a prerequisite of this efficacy. The main draw back of GCs, however, is due to their potential to induce undesired effects, in particular upon high doses and prolonged usage. In...