Adrenal Hormone Modulation of Type 1 and Type 2 Cytokine Production by Spleen Cells: Dexamethasone and Dehydroepiandrosterone Suppress Interleukin-2, Interleukin-4, and Interferon-γ Productionin Vitro

Abstract Our previous work has documented that physical or psychological stress can alter interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and interferon (IFN)-γ production by spleen or lymph node cells in vitro. To determine if adrenal hormones might be mediating these stress-induced changes in type 1 and type 2 cytokines and immune effector functions, we cultured spleen cells in vitro with either the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX) or the putative restorative hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Spleen cells were obtained from either young (5–6 weeks old) or mature (7–8 months old) BALB/c mice that were either unimmunized or immunized with the T-cell-dependent antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). We determined that DEX suppressed production of all three cytokines examined. DHEA was not associated with any enhancement of cytokine production. These data challenge the hypothesis that glucocorticoids can differentially regulate Th1-like versus Th2-like cytokine production. Further, they suggest that in stress paradigms in which differential regulation of cytokine production and effector function has been observed, other neuroendocrine factors in addition to glucocorticoids must be relevant.