Evidence for the involvement of the thromboxane synthase pathway in human natural cytotoxic cell activity

We and other investigators have recently shown that inhibitors of lipoxygenase reversibly inhibit natural cytotoxic (NC) or natural killer (NK) cell activity, whereas some inhibitors of cyclooxygenase enhance these functions. In addition, exogenous LTB4 augments NC and NK activity, whereas PGE2 depresses it. In the present studies, we sought to investigate the possible role of the TxA2 synthase pathway in NC function. Inhibition of this pathway by OKY-1581 or dazoxiben significantly inhibited NC activity against HSV-infected cells as well as NK function against K562 target cells. The inhibition was dose dependent, reversible, and not due to direct toxicity. NC activity was also significantly inhibited by the addition of PGE2 or PGI2 to the 4-hr assay, whereas addition of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha had no effect. Addition of PGH2, which could be converted to TxA2 or other PG, had no significant effect, but concomitant use of OKY-1581 produced a greater inhibition of NC function than by using OKY-1581 alone. U44069, a TxA2 analog, was inhibitory by itself and could not alter the inhibition caused by OKY-1581 or dazoxiben. In contrast, the TxA2 receptor blocker 13-APA significantly enhanced NC activity and even reversed the inhibitory effect of U44069 at equimolar (10(-7)M) concentrations. Taken together, these data suggest that most of the inhibitory effect of the TxA2 synthase inhibitors on NC and NK cell function derives from their ability to reorient cyclic endoperoxide metabolism toward more inhibitory compounds. In addition, TxA2 itself could exert a negative feedback on NC function through its receptor, as evidenced by the use of a TxA2 analog and a TxA2 blocker.