Eicosanoid effects on cell proliferation in vitro: Relevance to atherosclerosis

Abstract

Several eicosanoids were tested for ability to inhibit proliferation of cells in culture. In rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells and mouse B16BL6 melanoma cells, order of potency was: 12-HETE > PGJ 2 > PGA 1 ≥ PGE 1 > PGE 2 ≥ PGD 2 ≥ PGA 2. PGB 1 was active in smooth muscle cells (≥PGD 2) but not in B16 cells. 5-HETE and Leukotriene B 4 were weakly active in smooth muscle cells, and PGB 2, PGF 2α and TXB 2 were inactive in both cells types. In Swiss albino mouse 3T3 fibroblasts. PGJ2 and PGEl showed much lower relative potency than in the other two cell lines, although the profile was otherwise similar. These findings may be relevant to the anti-atherosclerotic (and perhaps anti-tumor activity) of some eicosanoids.