Timing and crosstalk of glucocorticoid signaling with cytokines, neurotransmitters and growth factors

Abstract

Glucocorticoid actions are tailored to the organs and cells responding thanks to complex integration with ongoing signaling mediated by cytokines, hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors. Disruption of: (1) the amount of signaling molecules available locally; (2) the timing with other signaling pathways; (3) the post-translational modifications on glucocorticoid receptors; and (4) the receptors-interacting proteins within cellular organelles and functional compartments, can modify the sensitivity and efficacy of glucocorticoid responses with implications in physiology, diseases and treatments. Tissue sensitivity to glucocorticoids is sustained by multiple systems that do not operate in isolation. We take the example of the interplay between the glucocorticoid and brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling pathways to deconstruct context-dependent glucocorticoid responses that play key roles in physiology, diseases and therapies.

Keywords: BDNF; Cytokines; Disease; Endocannabinoids; Glucocorticoid receptor; Glucocorticoid resistance & hypersensitivity; Neurotransmitters.