Rapid induction of prostaglandin synthesis in piglet astroglial cells by interleukin 1 alpha.

We examined effects of interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) on prostaglandin production in piglet cultured astroglia. Immuno- and morphologically identified polymorphic and process-bearing astrocytes were collected from cerebral cortex and white matter from piglets (1-3 days of age). Levels of prostaglandins were determined using enzyme immunoassay. Baseline levels for prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha were 631 +/- 332 pg/ml and increased to 1417 +/- 353 pg/ml 20 min after addition of 11 micrograms/ml IL-1 alpha (p < 0.05) and to 2280 +/- 391 pg/ml 20 min after addition of 22 micrograms/ml IL-1 alpha (p < 0.05) (n = 7). Only small amounts of 6-keto-PGF 1 alpha or PGE2 were detected in medium under baseline conditions or in the presence of IL-1 alpha. Medium alone did not change PGF2 alpha levels (n = 3). Coapplication of cycloheximide (10(-3) M) blocked the increase in PGF2 alpha (n = 3). We conclude that IL-1 alpha causes a rapid increase in prostaglandin production by astroglia, and this process involves a step requiring continued or increased protein synthesis.