Regulation of cyclic AMP levels in human lymphocytes and lymphoblasts by prostaglandins

The sensitivity of human lymphocytes to prostaglandins was compared to that of two lines of cultured lymphoblasts. It was found that 25 nM PGE1 increased lymphocyte cyclic AMP levels twofold, but had no effect on lymphoblasts. At 2.8 micrometers PGE1 the increase of cyclic AMP in lymphocytes was 14 fold versus a 1-3 fold increase in lymphoblasts. Lymphoblasts maintained a response to 6-keto-PGE1, isoproterenol and histamine similar to that observed in lymphocytes. Thus, it appears that the rapidly proliferating lymphoblasts excape signals inhibiting proliferation by impairing the function of the PGE receptor.