Prostaglandin E and mitogenic stimulation of human lymphocytes in serum-free medium

Sera used in cell cultures contain significant ammounts of prostaglandins (PGs). In order to avoid any effects of contaminating PGs, the present study employed a serum-free culture medium and confirmed the inhibitory effect of prostaglandin E (PGE) on the human lymphocyte activation which had been observed previously employing a serum-containing medium. PGE1 displayed a significantly stronger inhibitory effect on the cells than previously shown. Furthermore, reported enhancement of PGE synthesis by mitogen-activated lymphocytes could not be reproduced.