Glucocorticoid-Induced Appearance of the Macrophage Subtype RM 3/1 in Peripheral Blood of Man

Abstract

The effect of intravenous administration of the glucocorticoid prednylidene on the macrophage subtype RM 3/1 in the peripheral blood of man was studied. Injection of 60 mg steroid resulted in an increase in the proportion of RM 3/1 positive monocytes 12 h after application from the basic level to about 80%. After 24 h the number of RM 3/1 positive cells decreased but remained elevated over the basis rate for a period of at least 15 days. Similar results were obtained after administration of 30 or 6 mg prednylidene even if the peak value occurred with a delay of 12 h after 6 mg. A dose- and time-dependent induction of the RM 3/1 positive subtype could also be demonstrated in vitro by the addition of prednylidene or dexamethasone to cultured purified human monocytes/macrophages. Deoxycortone or indomethacin had no effects. These results suggest that glucocorticoids exert their influence on cells of the mononuclear phagocytic lineage by inducing a distinct monocyte/macrophage subpopulation which seems to be associated with anti-inflammatory functions.

The Conserved Scavenger Receptor Cysteine-Rich Superfamily in Therapy and Diagnosis

“…Expression is strongly up-regulated by anti-inflammatory inducers (such as glucocorticoids, IL-6, and IL-10) and down-regulated by proinflammatory agents (such as LPS, TNF-␣, and IFN␥). The presence in the 5Ј-flanking region of glucocorticoid responsive elements and binding sites for a number of transcription factors involved in myeloid-specific gene expression and differentiation (Ritter et al, 1999) explains how those agents can regulate CD163 expression (Morganelli and Guyre 1988;Zwadlo-Klarwasser et al, 1990;Högger et al, 1998;Van den Heuvel et al, 1999). CD163 expression correlates with the degree of cell differentiation and activation; indeed, tissue macrophages have increased expression of CD163 compared with levels found in monocytes (Sán-chez et al, 1999).…”

CD163 and its role in inflammation

“…Intravenous administration of hydrocortisone to healthy volunteers resulted in enhanced CD163 mRNA and protein expression on peripheral blood monocytes [46,47]. Elevated numbers of CD163 + monocytes have been seen as soon as six hours after intravenous administration of glucocorticoids, and lasted for at least four days [46].…”

“…Elevated numbers of CD163 + monocytes have been seen as soon as six hours after intravenous administration of glucocorticoids, and lasted for at least four days [46]. The maximum effect was seen between 12 and 24 hours after administration of glucocorticoids when more than 80% of monocytes stain positive with anti-CD163 antibody [46].…”

“…Elevated numbers of CD163 + monocytes have been seen as soon as six hours after intravenous administration of glucocorticoids, and lasted for at least four days [46]. The maximum effect was seen between 12 and 24 hours after administration of glucocorticoids when more than 80% of monocytes stain positive with anti-CD163 antibody [46]. Applying different doses of a glucocorticoid has demonstrated that the peak effect is much less dose-dependent than are the rapidity and duration of the response [46].…”

“…The maximum effect was seen between 12 and 24 hours after administration of glucocorticoids when more than 80% of monocytes stain positive with anti-CD163 antibody [46]. Applying different doses of a glucocorticoid has demonstrated that the peak effect is much less dose-dependent than are the rapidity and duration of the response [46].…”