How the body switches out of 'fight' mode

Cortisone and other related glucocorticoids are extremely effective at curbing excessive immune reactions. But previously, astonishingly little was known about how they exactly do that. Researchers have now explored the molecular mechanism of action in greater detail. As the researchers report, glucocorticoids reprogram the metabolism of immune cells, activating the body's natural 'brakes' on inflammation. These findings lay the groundwork for development of anti-inflammatory agents with fewer and less severe side effects.