What effect does cortisol have on the immune system?

Cortisol, a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex, plays a significant role in modulating the immune response. Its primary effect on the immune system is to suppress the immune response. This action is essential for preventing excessive inflammation and tissue damage that could occur during an immune reaction.

Cortisol achieves this suppression through various mechanisms, including inhibiting the production and activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing the proliferation of certain immune cells (like T cells), and decreasing the function of other components of the immune system. By dampening the immune response, cortisol helps in maintaining homeostasis and preventing conditions such as autoimmunity, where the immune system might otherwise attack the body's own tissues.

Due to its immunosuppressive properties, cortisol is often utilized clinically to treat autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and in managing conditions where a reduced immune response is beneficial. Understanding the role cortisol plays in the immune system is crucial for recognizing its effects in both health and disease, as well as its implications in treatments involving corticosteroids.