Regulatory effect of hydrocortisone on the in vitro synthesis of IgE by human lymphocytes.

The effect of different concentrations of hydrocortisone (HC) on the in vitro, pokeweed mitogen-driven synthesis of IgG and IgE by human lymphocytes was studied. HC had the same modulatory action on the production of both immunoglobulins. Two different effects were observed: the first is enhancement of Ig synthesis by low concentrations of HC (10(-7)-10(-4) M), and the second is inhibition of synthesis by higher concentrations due to lymphocytotoxic effect.