Effects of cytokines on prostaglandin E and cAMP levels in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts in vitro

Abstract The stimulation of PGE synthesis and cAMP production by cytokines have important physiological effects in many target tissues. The effects of interleukin-1α and -1β, tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ on PGE and cAMP production by periodontal ligament fibroblasts were studied. Fibroblasts in the 4th–6th passage, grown and maintained in DMEM supplemented with 10% equine serum, were incubated with graded doses of the various cytokines for 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 24, 48 or 72 h. At the end of each incubation, PGE in the medium and the cellular content of cAMP were evaluated by a combined immunohistochemical microphotometric procedure, and conventional radiometric assays. The fibroblasts responded to all the cytokines with a dose- and time-related increase in the levels of PGE and cAMP. Such increases were inhibited by the inclusion of indomethacin in the medium. The addition of exogenous PGE reversed that inhibition in respect of cAMP production. Immunohistochemical localization showed PGE predominantly in the cytoplasm and cAMP in the nucleus. These findings indicate that: (1) human periodontal ligament fibroblasts respond to these cytokines by increased synthesis of PGE and the production of cAMP; and (2) the cAMP production is secondary to the PGE synthesis. They suggest that these cytokines may regulate the function of these fibroblasts in physiological remodelling of the periodontium, as well as in inflammatory reactions.