IL-1 and PGE2 productions by the regional lymph node cells from DNFB-sensitized mice.

Interleukin 1 (IL-1) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are mainly produced by macrophage/monocytes. In this experiment, we investigated the immunological role of macrophage/monocytes in the lymph nodes (LNs) by measuring IL-1 and PGE2 productions of regional LN cells from dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-sensitized and -tolerant mice. LN cells from sensitized mice produced IL-1 in remarkable amounts after in vitro antigen stimulation. On the other hand, the LN cells from tolerant mice failed to produce IL-1 or PGE2. These data indicate that, by modifying cytokine production, macrophage/monocytes in the regional LNs play a key role in the pathomechanism of contact hypersensitivity.