Corticosteroids as immunomodulators.

Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory and anti-immunologic modulators. They interact with cellular receptors, which eventually leads to modification of DNA transcription. These changes sometimes inhibit cell function and sometimes increase production of cell products. A number of effects are seen throughout the organism, leading to downregulation of allergic responses, inhibition of cell-mediated immunity, decreased accumulation of inflammatory cells, and a lessening of proinflammatory stimuli and blood-vessel responses.