Figure 4.

Reciprocal regulation of steroidogenic enzymes and other signaling nodes. Cytokines, prostanoids, and growth factors regulate the expression and/or activity of steroidogenic enzymes, and sex steroids, in turn, have been shown to regulate the production of these autocrine and paracrine mediators. Similarly, many nuclear receptors act as both regulators of steroidogenic enzymes and targets of sex steroid signaling. Thus, sex steroid generation may be a central facet of immune cell phenotype and function.