Hydrocortisone works by binding to glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the cytoplasm of cells. When activated by hydrocortisone, the GRs undergo a conformational change that allows them to enter the nucleus of the cell. Once inside the nucleus, the hydrocortisone-receptor complex binds to DNA sequences called glucocorticoid response elements (GREs). This binding modulates the transcription of genes, which can increase or decrease the production of specific proteins.