Prostaglandin production by phagocytic cells of the mouse thymic reticulum in culture and its modulation by indomethacin and corticosteroids
Homo-Delarche, F.; Duval, D.; Papiernik, M.
Journal of Immunology 135(1): 506-512
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 3998470 Document Number: 266340
The production of prostaglandins by phagocytic cells of the thymic reticulum in culture (P-TR) was studied by using high pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. Radioimmunologic determinations showed that thromboxane B2 (TXB2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1.alpha. (6 keto-PGF1.alpha.) were the major compounds released into the culture medium, whereas prostaglandin F2.alpha. (PGF2.alpha.) was only a minor component. Indomethacin and dexamethasone exerted a similar pattern of differential inhibition of the secretion of prostanoids. PGE2 and 6-keto PGF1.alpha. productions were markedly decreased by these anti-inflammatory drugs, whereas those of TXB2 and PGF2.alpha. were not or were only slightly affected. Experiments performed with an antiglucocorticoid compound (RU 38486) showed that the steroid-induced inhibition of prostanoid secretion is a classical receptor-mediated action. These results demonstrated that phagocytic cells of the thymic reticulum, which resemble the thymic interdigitating cells, produce several types of prostaglandins. Because it has been described that P-TR regulate thymocyte proliferation in vitro via the secretion of both interleukin 1 and PGE2, these results suggest that anti-inflammatory agents may be able to modulate the thymic microenvironment and, consequently, thymocyte proliferation.