title: Regulation of human B cell proliferation by prostaglandin E2.
abstract: The role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the regulation of human B cell proliferation in vitro was examined. Initial studies demonstrated that monocyte (M phi)-mediated suppression of B cell proliferation in Staphylococcus aureus (SA)-stimulated cultures was diminished by indomethacin, and thus it was suggested that cyclooxygenase pathway products of arachidonic acid played a role in the regulation of B cell activation. The possibility that PGE2, one of the major products of this pathway generated by M phi, affected human B cell responses was therefore investigated. PGE2 was found to suppress B cell DNA synthesis and proliferation stimulated by SA in the presence or absence of B cell growth factor (BCGF)-containing T cell supernatants. Suppression was concentration-dependent; significant inhibition was observed in indomethacin-blocked cultures with 10(-10) to 10(-9) M PGE2. In contrast to the effect of PGE2 on SA-induced B cell proliferation, it had minimal effect on pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated B cell or T cell DNA synthesis. The effect of PGE2 on the generation of BCGF activity from mitogen-stimulated T cells was also examined. PGE2 (10(-7) M) did not inhibit the production of BCGF activity from PWM-stimulated T cells, or from T cells stimulated with the combination of phytohemagglutinin and phorbol myristate acetate. Thus, PGE2 inhibits B cell proliferation in response to SA but not PWM, and has little effect on the production of BCGF by T cells. These results indicate that PGE2 at physiologically relevant concentrations exerts selective regulatory effects on human B cell responses.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015232:Dinoprostone; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015847:Interleukin-4; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013209:Staphylococcal Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D008222:Lymphokines; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D013209:Staphylococcal Vaccines; D015847:Interleukin-4; D004247:DNA; D015232:Dinoprostone; D007213:Indomethacin