Corneal epithelial cells produce thromboxane in response to interleukin 1 (IL-1).

Synthesis of thromboxane, a product of arachidonic acid formed via the cyclooxygenase pathway, was studied in rabbit corneal epithelial cells (SIRC cell line) under resting conditions and under the influence of interleukin 1 (IL-1). IL-1 potentiated the production of thromboxane 3-10-fold in a dose-dependent manner. This finding assumes added significance in view of the previous observations that the same cells are capable of producing IL-1. Thus, the corneal epithelial cells may be viewed in this context as an autocrine cell producing two biologically active substances which can serve as mediators of inflammation, one of which can augment the production of the other.