Effect of irradiation on the prostaglandin system of human hypernephroma cells

Specific PGE1-, PGE2-, PGI2-binding sites and the eicosanoid production were investigated in cultured human hypernephroma cells. Low numbers of PGE1-, PGE2- as well as PGI2-high-affinity binding sites and high levels of PG-production were found as compared to normal kidney. Treatment with acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA) significantly (p less than 0.01) increased PGE1-, PGE2- and PGI2-binding sites and inhibited PG-formation. Following irradiation, PG-receptors and eicosanoid generation were significantly (p less than 0.01) diminished, however, were insignificantly lowered in the ASA-treated group. These findings suggest that ASA may modify the radioresponse of cultured hypernephroma cells by preventing the decrease of PG-receptors induced by irradiation.