[Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of corticosteroids].

Glucocorticoids exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and immunosuppressive properties, which contribute to their beneficial therapeutic effects. The biological effects of their interaction with their soluble receptor have been investigated as well as their inhibitory effects on several proteins implicated in the inflammatory process and on the tissular steps of inflammation. In addition, glucocorticoids exert multiple inhibitory effects both on immunocompetent cells (mainly T-lymphocytes) and on cytokines. Their role on Th17 lymphocytes and regulatory T cells has been recently studied and could represent new mechanisms of action of these drugs.