The Effects of E Series Prostaglandins on Blastogenic Responses in Vitro and Graft Vs. Host Responses in Vivo

Abstract

In this study the ability of prostaglandin E_l (PGE₁), Misoprostol (a stable analog of PGE₁), and 16,16-dimethyi PGE₂ (a stable analog of PGE₂) to suppress immune responses in vitro and in vivo was etermined. All of the compounds caused a titratable (10–6 to 10–9 M) suppression of Con A blastogenesis and the mixed lymphocyte response whereas there was only slight inhibition of the LPS response. When either 16,16-dimethyl PGE₂ (30 ug/mouse) or Misoprostol (60 ug/mouse) was administered daify in vivo, there was a significant suppression of splenomegaly in E₁ mice (C57B1/6 x CBA) which had been injected with parental (C57B1/6) spleen cells. We conclude that prostaglandins of the E series can function as immunosuppressive reagents both in vitro and in vivo. In the future they may serve to augment existing forms of immuno-suppressive therapy.