Expression of 5-lipoxygenase in lymphoblastoid B and T cells.

The expression of arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX, arachidonate: oxygen 5-oxidoreductase; EC 1.13.11.34) and the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) genes in lymphoblastoid B and T cell lines was studied at the transcriptional level by reverse transcription-PCR analysis. Two B cell lines, CESS and SKW 6.4, were found to express both 5-LOX and FLAP mRNA. One T cell line, MOLT 4, expressed only FLAP mRNA. Upon stimulation of intact cells by calcium ionophore, B lymphoblastoid cells produced 5, 12 and 15 hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids as well as leukotriene B4.