Effect of hydrocortisone on response of human lymphocytes to galactose oxidase stimulation.

Hydrocortisone at 10(-4)M concentration could inhibit the response of human lymphocytes to galactose oxidase stimulation. Removal of the hydrocortisone after 4 h of culture did not reverse this inhibition. On the other hand, removal of monocytes greatly enhanced it, so that it could be observed at 10(-6)M concentration. Next, tonsil cells were separated into two fractions relatively rich in either T or B cells. Both fractions could respond to galactose oxidase and the response could be inhibited by hydrocortisone.