What do the immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids result from?

The immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids primarily arise from their ability to inhibit antibody formation. Corticosteroids achieve this by affecting the functions of immune cells, particularly B lymphocytes, which are responsible for the production of antibodies. By reducing the activation and proliferation of these antibody-producing cells, corticosteroids diminish the body's immune response. This can be beneficial in situations where the immune system is overactive or in cases of autoimmune diseases, where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

While the other options involve various immune system functions, they do not contribute directly to the immunosuppressive effects of corticosteroids in the same manner. For instance, corticosteroids do not increase lymphocyte production, enhance neutrophil migration, or stimulate phagocytosis; rather, they tend to reduce the overall inflammatory response and immune activity, leading to their role in managing immune-mediated conditions.