Extra-adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis: Immune regulation and aspects on local organ homeostasis.

Highlights: [•] Extraadrenal de novo glucocorticoid synthesis has been identified in various organs. [•] The locally produced glucocorticoids usually act in a paracrine or autocrine manner. [•] Locally produced glucocorticoids influence cell differentiation and inflammation. [•] In the thymus both thymic epithelial cells and thymocytes produce glucocorticoids. [•] Local glucocorticoid production is suggested to affect thymic homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]