Prostaglandin E2-mediated enhancement of human plasma cell differentiation

Addition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) to blood mononuclear cell cultures containing pokeweed mitogen (PWM) enhances plasma cell (PC) differentiation measured by intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin 7 days later. T-cell mitogenesis to concanavalin A is inhibited using the same concentrations of PGE2. PGE2 failed to enhance the PC differentiation of lymphocytes from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Indomethacin, on the other hand, either had no effect or suppressed PC differentiation. The data is discussed in terms of the effect of PGE2 on human suppressor T-cell function.