Effect of Prostaglandin E on the Humoral Response to a Specific Antigenic Stimulus in Human Lymphocytes

Human lymphocytes from individuals immunized with tetanus toxoid >1 year previously that are cultured for 10 days with tetanus toxoid in vitro produce anti-tetanus toxoid antibody without a polyclonal antibody response. This specific anti-tetanus toxoid antibody response is augmented by the addition of prostaglandin E(2) to the cultures. Removal of CD8(+) cells prior to culture results in increased antibody production, but does not eliminate the augmentation by prostaglandin E(2). Thus, prostaglandin E(2) stimulates specific antibody production not mediated via inhibition of suppressor cell function.