Prostaglandin modulation of development of cell-mediated immunity in culture

Abstract

Prostaglandins (PG) have been implicated as possible modulators of the immune response and various inflammatory processes. Various cell components of the immune system are sources of PG, mitogen or antigen stimulation of human or murine lymphocytes leads to their enhanced release. They are also released from various human and animal tumors. As cells of the immune system are both sensitive to and sources of PG, these factors may be important as physiological immune regulators. PG of the E series are capable of inhibiting many effector functions. They also inhibit the development of the humoral response. Although they inhibit the proliferative response to mitogens, little is known about their effects on the development of the cell-mediated immune response to antigens. PG, thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) are implicated in the regulation of cellular immune responses at the inductive phase.