The Influence of Tissue-Specific Glucocorticoid System on the Inflammatory Microenviroment: A Mini-Review

Glucocorticoids have been belonged to the most widely and commonly used immune modulatory drugs in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. The anti-inflammatory and immune suppressant mechanisms have been described. However, the glucocorticoids have paracrine and autocrine manner, acting at local tissue level and that is called as “tissue-specific” glucocorticoids. Those have a significant role in the development of inflammation. The glucocorticoid receptors, the sensitivity for glucocorticoids and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis are associated strongly in the development, treatment and outcome of the inflammatory diseases. Dysregulation of the immune system and the endogenous glucocorticoid system may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.