Thrombin and bradykinin enhance prostaglandin production in human peripheral blood monocytes.

Thrombin and bradykinin stimulate production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (the stable breakdown product of prostacyclin) in isolated human peripheral blood monocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Since PGE2 and prostacyclin can affect the activity of immunocompetent cells and bone resorbing osteoclasts, our finding indicates that thrombin and bradykinin, both of which are formed in inflammatory processes as a consequence of activation of the Hageman factor (coagulation factor XII), may have important roles in the modulation of the inflammatory response and the loss of alveolar bone in periodontitis.