Paradoxical stimulation of both lipocortin and prostaglandin production in human amnion cells by dexamethasone.

Glucocorticoids inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis by inducing the formation of lipocortins. In human amnion cells dexamethasone elicited a concentration-dependent increase in prostaglandin production and raised intracellular lipocortin 1 concentrations. Dexamethasone could also potentiate the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced stimulation of prostaglandin production. EGF alone or in combination with dexamethasone increased lipocortin 1 formation in amnion cells. Human amnion cells may provide a unique insight into interactions between glucocorticoids, lipocortin and eicosanoid biosynthesis.