Natural glucocorticoids induce expansion of all developmental stages of murine bone marrow granulocytes without inhibiting function.

ABSTRACT: Natural glucocorticoids (Gc) produced during stress have profound effects on the immune system. It is well known that Gc induce apoptosis in precursor T and B cells, markedly altering lymphopoiesis. However, it has been noted that marrow myeloid cells expanded both in proportion and absolute numbers in the mouse after Gc exposure. Mice were implanted with a corticosterone (CS) tablet that increased serum Gc and caused atrophied thymuses, both classic signs of activation of the stress axis. Blood neutrophil counts were elevated (4.8x), whereas lymphocyte counts declined. Flow cytometric analysis of the marrow revealed that the phenotypic distribution of the various major classes of cells was shifted by Gc exposure. As expected, marrow lymphocyte numbers declined >40% after 3 days of exposur

SUBMITTER: Trottier MD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2538876 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature