Relation between cyclic adenosine monophosphate and prostaglandin output by dispersed cells from human amnion and decidua.

We have examined the ability of activators of adenylate cyclase and cyclic adenosine monophosphate to affect the output of prostaglandins E and F by dispersed cells of amnion and decidua collected from women following spontaneous labor. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate production by amnion and decidua cells was stimulated in a dose-dependent fashion by cholera toxin and by forskolin in the absence or presence of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine. Forskolin and cholera toxin also stimulated prostaglandin E and F output from amnion and decidua cells. Similar effects were seen with cells incubated with dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate +/- 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine. The beta-adrenergic receptor agonists salbutamol, isoproterenol, and epinephrine all stimulated prostaglandin E and F output from dispersed cells of both tissues. The stimulatory effect of 3-isobutyl-1-methyl xanthine was partially additive with the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Basal outputs of prostaglandin and outputs stimulated by A23187 and by N6, O2'-dibutyryl adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate were attenuated by the calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine in a dose-dependent fashion. We conclude that mechanisms exist for stimulation of adenylate cyclase in human amnion and decidua resulting in enhanced prostaglandin output. This pathway requires basal interaction with Ca2+-calmodulin and may be additive with cyclic adenosine monophosphate-independent mechanisms for prostaglandin stimulation.