PRODUCTION OF PROSTAGLANDIN-E2 BY TUMOR-CELLS INVITRO

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 40  (9) , 3167-3171
Abstract
Previous observations on the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by bladder tumor cell lines in vitro and the enhancement of tumor cell PGE2 production upon exposure to purified peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal human donors prompted examination of this interaction in an animal model to further define conditions that determine the occurrence of this phenomenon. Cell lines derived from carcinogen-induced bladder and mammary tumors and from embryo fibroblasts in Fischer rats were exposed to purified peripheral blood or splenic lymphcytes in the presence or absence of indomethacin (10-7 M). After varying times at 37.degree. C, supernatants were harvested for determination of PGE2 by radioimmunoassay. Time course studies demonstrated rapid PGE2 production with plateau levels appearing at 8 h. Increased tumor cell PGE2 production occurred in the presence of increased numbers of lymphoctes. Indomethacin partially inhibited PGE2 production. Preincubation studies suggested that the contribution of lymphocytes to overall PGE2 production in the present system was minimal. Tumor cell PGE2 production may reflect a response of the tumor cells to challenge by effector lymphocytes and may represent a mechanism whereby tumor cells subvert an immune response mounted against them.

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