Figure 3.

The influence of glucocorticoids on monocytes and macrophages. Glucocorticoids may play opposing effects on monocytes and macrophages depending on theirs levels and time of exposure (top). A graphical representation depicts these effects on monocyte trafficking into tissues, macrophage polarization, and phagocytosis (bottom). A short and low increase in glucocorticoid levels (left) stimulates monocyte extravasation into the injured tissue, while high and long-lasting levels of glucocorticoids (right) inhibit monocyte proliferation and extravasation, as well as drive macrophage polarization into anti-inflammatory phenotypes that may produce extracellular matrix or stimulate the engulfment of apoptotic cells. All these phenomena are also influenced by cytokines present in the milieu.