RAPID INDUCTION OF PROSTAGLANDIN SYNTHESIS IN PIGLET ASTROGLIAL CELLSBY INTERLEUKIN-1-ALPHA

We examined effects of interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) on prostagland in production in piglet cultured astroglia, Immuno- and morphologicall y identified polymorphic and process-bearing astrocytes were collected from cerebral cortex and white matter from piglets (1-3 days of age). Levels of prostaglandins were determined using enzyme immunoassay. Ba seline levels for prostaglandin (PG) F-2 alpha were 631 +/- 332 pg/ml and increased to 1417 +/- 353 pg/ml 20 min after addition of 11 mu g/m l IL-1 alpha (p < 0.05) and to 2280 +/- 391 pg/ml 20 min after additio n of 22 mu g/ml IL-1 alpha (p < 0.05) (n = 7). Only small amounts of 6 -keto-PGF(1 alpha) or PGE(2) were detected in medium under baseline co nditions or in the presence of IL-1 alpha. Medium alone did not change PGF(2 alpha) levels (n = 3). Coapplication of cycloheximide (10(-3) M ) blocked the increase in PGF(2 alpha) (n = 3). We conclude that IL-1 alpha causes a rapid increase in prostaglandin production by astroglia , and this process involves a step requiring continued or increased pr otein synthesis.