Characterization of prostaglandin production in amnion-derived WISH cells

This study was undertaken to characterize prostaglandin production and its regulation in the human amnion-derived WISH cell line. Epidermal growth factor, tumor growth factor-alpha, tumor growth factor-beta, human interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13 didecanoate, and dexamethasone were tested for their ability to modulate prostaglandin production in WISH cells. Quantitatively, the major prostaglandin produced in WISH cells was prostaglandin E2. Treatment with epidermal growth factor, tumor growth factor-alpha, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate resulted in a concentration-dependent stimulation of WISH cell prostaglandin E2 production; tumor growth factor-beta and the inactive phorbol ester analog 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13 didecanoate had no effect. Dexamethasone treatment resulted in concentration-dependent inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production by WISH cells. WISH cells responded in a qualitatively similar manner to that previously observed in primary cultures of human amnion with the exception of the response to dexamethasone. On the basis of the findings of this investigation, we suggest that WISH cells may be a useful model for studying some but not all aspects of the regulation of arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin E2 formation in amnion. WISH cells may also be used to evaluate the mechanisms that link regulation of immune function and arachidonic acid metabolism.