Reciprocal effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and of thymic factor (TFX-thymomodulin) on bactericidal activity of human neutrophils.

Studies were performed on phagocytosis and on bactericidal capacity of human neutrophils (HN), isolated from healthy volunteers. Effects of indomethacin, PGE2, and TFX-Thymomodulin on function of the cells were examined. Only in a proportion of cases indomethacin was significantly reducing bactericidal activity of HN indicating that the activity might require the presence of endogenous prostaglandin. On the other hand, exogenous PGE2, inhibited bacterial killing in all cases and the suppression was abolished by TFX-Thymomodulin. The results might indicate antagonistic action on target cells of PGE2 on the one hand and of TFX-Thymomodulin on the other, which could point to the presence of receptors for thymic factors on HN.