Modulation of glucocorticoid receptor induction properties by cofactors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Glucocorticoids are widely used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Changing concentrations of transcriptional cofactors or chemicals in transiently transfected tissue culture cells modify several properties of glucocorticoid receptor-regulated gene expression including total activity (Amax), agonist steroid potency (EC50), and the percentage of full agonist activity for antisteroids (percent partial agonist activity). However, no reports exist for endogenous genes in primary human cells. Here we document that reduced concentrations of TIF2, a p160 coactivator, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells modulate these parameters for endogenous genes in a gene-selective manner, thus establishing the physiological relevance of this behavior.