CHANGES IN BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES IN LYMPHATIC CELLS AND TISSUES AFTER LOADING WITH BY GLYCOCORTICOIDS

Steroid hormones, including glycocorticoids, act via intracellular rec eptors. These hormones are not soluble in water and are brought to the cell membranes with suitable binding proteins present in the blood pl asma. Near the target cells, the hormones dissociate from the binding proteins, penetrate by diffusion through the cell membrane and bind wi th suitable receptors inside. Binding between the steroid and the cyto plasmatic receptor results in a conformation change of the receptor ex posing a site on its surface capable of binding with the cell membrane . This complex moves on to the cell nucleus and binds with DNA and chr omatin proteins. The effects of large doses of glycocorticoids (so-cal led pharmacological doses) include, for example, to the accumulation o f cyclic AMP in cells, immunosuppression and transfer of apoptosis tri ggers.