Stimulation of endothelial cell prostacyclin formation by interleukin-2

The production of prostacyclin (PGI2) by the luminal surface of bovine aorta was significantly increased when incubated with 1 unit of interleukin-2 (IL-2). In separate experiments, confluent cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells were also shown to be stimulated to produce increased levels of PGI2 in a concentration-dependent manner by purified IL-2. This increase in prostacyclin biosynthesis was inhibited by cycloheximide. Since the recovery of prostacyclin production in aspirin treated cells was stimulated by interleukin-2, our results suggest that the stimulatory effect of interleukin-2 on prostacyclin synthesis is at least partially mediated by the de novo synthesis of cyclooxygenase.