Stimulated T cell and natural killer (NK) cell lines fail to synthesize leukotriene B 4

Abstract

The ability of leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4) to influence T cell and natural killer (NK) cell functions makes the question of LTB 4 generation by these cells important to address. Consequentlym LTB 4 generation was evaluated in a human (Jurkat), and in a murine (EL-4) T cell line as well as in a rat NK cell line (RNK-16). Incubation of each of the 3 cell lines with [1- 14C]arachidonic acid alone or in the presence of phytochemagglutinin (PHA), of calcium ionophore A23187, or concanavalin A (Con A) plus the phorbol ester 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) failed to generate radiolabelled LTB 4 or other eicosanoids as determined by thin layer radiochromatography. Using two different radioimmunoassays for LTB 4 also failed to demonstrate the generation of LTB 4 under basal or stimulated conditions. These results support earlier studies that demonstrate that T cells are not capable of de novo synthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, or leukotrienes and also provide evidence that NK cells also do not have the capacity to generate LTB 4 or other eicosanoids. Our findings are also critically discussed in relation to studies claiming eicosanoid synthesis by T cells.