Prostanoid release by macrophages at a distance from an inflammatory site

During the development of an acute inflammatory reaction induced in the rat pleural cavity by dextran, calcium pyrophosphate, saline or phosphate buffered saline, macrophages present at a distant site (peritoneal cavity) display an increased capacity to release prostanoids: prostaglandins, prostacyclin and thromboxane. Enhanced levels of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were observed both in peritoneal lavages (experiments in vivo) and in macrophage supernatants after 24-h culture (experiments in vitro). TXB2 levels were mainly increased in peritoneal lavages and PGE2 in culture supernatants. In vivo, levels of prostanoids in the peritoneal cavity reached a maximum 24 h after the induction of pleurisy whatever the injected substance. In vitro, amounts of arachidonic acid metabolites were highest in supernatants of cultured peritoneal macrophages harvested 72 h after the pleural injection of dextran or CaPP. These results show that the regulation of macrophage functions is closely related to prostanoid production, especially the release of PGE2 and PGI2.