Regulation of Macrophage-Independent T-Cell Activation by Prostaglandins and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

We examined the hypothesis that both misoprostol (miso), a prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) analog, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have significant and largely inhibitory effects on T-cell activation and, consequently, influence T-cell function. Studies were done using a macrophage-independent system for T-cell activation by mitogenic combinations of immobilized anti-T-cell monoclonal antibodies (mabs), including combinations of anti-CD3 with anti-CD4 or anti-CD6. The results indicate that misoprostol, like other prostaglandins, can inhibit T-cell proliferation and the expression of mRNAs for cytokines critical in T-cell growth and immunoregulation.