Endogenous glucocorticoids and antigen‐induced acute and late phase pulmonary responses

Abstract

The results suggest that endogenous glucocorticoids may play a significant role in the modulation of airway responses to antigen challenge, and that antigen challenge may induce cortisol production in allergic subjects.

Modulation of Glucocorticoid Receptor Function and Expression in Adolescent Moderate Asthma

“…In addition, endogenous glucocorticoid production participates in the negative feed back mechanism during the immune response. It has been shown that regulation of glucocorticoid synthesis might be essential for the control of airway inflammation and the maintenance of lung homeostasis in asthma [3], as well as the modulation of airway response to antigen challenge [4]. At the cellular level, glucocorticoid hormones exert immunomodulatory effects via glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated gene regulation.…”

Exposure to Diesel Exhaust and Plasma Cortisol Response: A Randomized Double-Blind Crossover Study

“…power to detect effect modification. Although contrasting with the hyporesponsiveness to psychosocial stressors of individuals with asthma, the heightened cortisol response to diesel exhaust in participants with asthma is similar to the greater cortisol response to inhaled allergen challenge produced in people with asthma (Peebles et al 2000). Notwithstanding the association of asthma diagnosis with increased cortisol response, degree of airway hyperresponsiveness was not significantly associated with differential cortisol response to diesel exhaust (r = − 0:083; p = 0:77).…”

Endogenous inhibitory mechanisms in asthma

“…Conversely, asthmatic patients with late-phase reactions had lower cortisol levels. 61 An increase in late-phase reactions was also observed after cortisol depletion in an experimental dog model of biphasic bronchoconstriction. 62 Interestingly, cortisol suppression in humans has been shown to enhance IgE-dependent inflammatory processes.…”