The effects of glucocorticoids on human eosinophils.

It is readily apparent that eosinophils are important targets of steroid effects. Disruption of the cytokine network by glucocorticoids can indirectly diminish eosinophil generation, survival, and function. In addition, glucocorticoids appear to have direct effects on the survival, and perhaps on the function, of these cells. Rapid advances in our knowledge of the biochemistry of signal transduction, as well as the interaction between cell surface receptors and RNA transcription machinery, will allow detailed analysis of the mechanisms by which the function and life cycle of eosinophils are influenced by glucocorticoids.