Prostaglandin D2 strongly inhibits growth of murine mastocytoma cells.

The effects of prostaglandins D2, E2 and F2 alpha on the growth of murine mastocytoma cells were investigated by adding them to cultures at concentrations of 0.1 - 50 micrograms/ml. At the same time, their effects on DNA synthesis were investigated. Of these prostaglandins, prostaglandin D2 was the strongest inhibitor of mastocytoma cell growth and at 10 micrograms/ml of medium it also caused cell death within 24 h. Prostaglandin E2 at this concentration only inhibited cell growth. Prostaglandin F2 alpha had no effect on cell growth at concentrations of up to 50 micrograms/ml. These findings show that prostaglandin D2 is a strong anti-proliferative agent.