Recombinant interleukin-1 stimulates prostaglandin E2 production by osteoblastic cells: synergy with parathyroid hormone.

Recombinant mouse IL-1 (Interleukin-1) has been shown to be capable of stimulating prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by isolated rat osteoblastic cells in a dose-dependent manner. The rapidity of the effect (1 hour) and the potency of IL-1 (5 x 10(-12) M) in producing this effect suggest that IL-1 may exert some of its effects on bone via PGE2. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) appears to have a strong synergistic effect with IL-1. These data further substantiate the role of IL-1 in bone physiology.