Prostaglandin generation by separated human blood mononuclear cell fractions

Prostaglandins (PGs) have been widely implicated as modulators of immuno-inflammatory reactions. The cellular source of such immunoregulatory PGs has generally been thought to be the macrophage/monocyte, however several workers have suggested that adherent T-lymphocytes may be involved. We have attempted to resolve this question and have assayed PGE2 and thromboxane B2 release by purified sub-populations of human blood lymphocytes. Separated lymphocyte populations produce little PGEs when compared to monocytes and we concluded that the levels of PGs generated could be explained by monocyte contamination. In conclusion, we feel that the monocyte/macrophage acts as the source of immunoregulatory prostaglandins.