MONOCYTE PGE2 SECRETION IN HODGKINS-DISEASE AND ITS RELATION TO DECREASED CELLULAR-IMMUNITY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (1) , 61-68
Abstract
The secretion of PG[prostaglandin]E2 from monocytes of newly diagnosed patients with Hodgkin''s disease (HD) was compared to that of patients in remission, who were not receiving either chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and normal controls. Monocyte monolayers of some patients, but newly diagnosed and those in remission, secreted markedly elevated levels of PGE2. The lymphocyte proliferative response to PHA [phytohemagglutinin] was increased to a similar extent in both newly diagnosed patients and those in remission when cultured in the presence of indomethacin. PGE2 concentrations in the medium of mononuclear cultures correlated with the lymphocyte proliferative response to PHA (P < 0.05). No correlation of monocyte PGE2 production with decreased E rosette forming lymphocytes, anergy or clinical stage was demonstrated. PGE2 secretion by monocytes may be indicative of an activated state of these cells. PGE2 may not be the only molecular species responsible for the decreased cellular immune function in HD. Activated monocytes may be part of the immune response in this disease and may be responsible for the decreased cellular immunity.