Impaired glucocorticoid induction of mononuclear leukocyte lipocortin-1 in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective. To investigate leukocyte lipocortin-1 production in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Eight control and 8 RA subjects received 100 mg hydrocortisone intravenously. Leukocyte lipocortin-1 was measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Hydrocortisone induced significant increases in lipocortin-1 production by control mononuclear cells (MNC) (P = 0.006 versus baseline) but not by RA MNC (P = 0.44 versus baseline). Peak lipocortin-1 levels in control MNC were significantly higher than those in RA MNC (P = 0.014). Conclusion. These results indicate that glucocorticoid- induced MNC lipocortin-1 production is impaired in RA.