Differential effects of cortisol on MRC-5 fibroblasts and hypertrophic LL-29 fibroblasts.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex that helps facilitate the body's response to stress and regulates the immune system. Glucocorticoid receptors can be found on most cell types and as a consequence, cortisol hormone plays an essential role on the body's physiologic systems. Cortisol has been shown to elicit differing responses from normal fibroblasts in comparison to hypertrophic fibroblasts.