Glucosteroid (GS)-dependent immunomodulation of immunoglobulin biosynthesis in vitro. I. GS stimulate spontaneous immunoglobulin synthesis.

Glucosteroids (GS) enhance spontaneous differentiation of human B lymphocytes to Ig containing plasma cells. The use of the reverse plasque-forming cell (PFC) assay made it possible to subdivide normal donors into GS-responder and non-responder inhibitable group. Peripheral blood B cells appear to be especially prone to GS-dependent enhancement of differentiation. While B cells derived from lymphoid organs retain their susceptibility to GS, they are less sensitive inasmuch enhancement of Ig synthesis is concerned.