Effect of prostaglandins on 3H-thymidine uptake into human epidermal cells in vitro.

Prostaglandins A2, B1, E1, E2, F1alpha and F2alpha were added to cultures of human epidermal cells (keratinocytes) for 24 hours at 37 degrees C, and the effects on 3H-thymidine uptake into DNA was measured. At 70 mu/ml all prostaglandins tested except PGF2alpha inhibited the uptake of 3-thymidine greater than 50%. However, at 35 mug/ml, PGA2 and PGB1 were the only two prostaglandins to show significant inhibition, 96% and 51% respectively. At 17.5 mug/ml only PGA2 caused substantial inhibition, 68%. In order to determine if the PGA2 action was mediated by membrane receptors propranolol, phentolamine, metiamide and prostynoic acid were added in conjunction with PGA2. None of the above receptor antagonists were able to reduce the PGA2-induced inhibition of 3H-thymidine uptake. These results indicate that the pre-incubation of human keratinocytes with prostaglandins for 24 hours results in a decrease of 3H-thymidine incorporation in DNA. The precise mechanism of action is unknown at this time.