Inter-strain differences in glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects on macrophage and lymphocyte functions in mice

We showed previously and we confirm here that macrophages from three mouse strains are differentially sensitive to the inhibition of expression of key inflammatory proteins (iNOS-II, IL-1β) by dexamethasone, a specific glucocorticoid receptor agonist (C57BL/6 > DBA/2 > BALB/c). Here we show that aldosterone (a specific mineralocorticoid agonist) has no effect on iNOS-II or IL-1β expression in macrophages from these mouse strains but decreases IL-1ra expression, with small inter-strain differences. This mechanism may be involved in the pro-inflammatory effect of this hormone. Concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes proliferation is also differentially sensitive to dexamethasone according to the strain, but insensitive to aldosterone.