Effect of prostaglandins on polymorphonuclear leukocyte motility.

The effect of prostaglandins (PGE1, E2, F2 alpha on LIF production, LIF activity, and on the random migration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes was investigated. Concanavalin A-induced LIF production was tested in an indirect LIF assay using agarose microdroplet technique; PGE1 and PGE2 inhibited the LIF production. PGE1, PGE2, and F2 alpha in physiological concentration, decreased the random migration of leukocytes, they also interfered with the LIF activity of supernatants, decreasing their inhibitory effect on cell migration; but the opposite explanation that LIF-treated PMNs escaped the inhibitory effect of PGs, cannot be ruled out. Macrophages produce supernatant factor(s) in the course of phagocytosis which inhibit the motility of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The active component of supernatant seems to be PG, since its production can be blocked by indomethacin. These data indicate that prostaglandins may have different sites of attack in the local regulation of leukocyte motility.