TNF AND PGE(2) IN HUMAN MONOCYTE-DERIVED MACROPHAGES INFECTED WITH CHLAMYDIA-TRACHOMATIS

IN this study levels of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), tumour necrosis f actor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) alpha in medium from monocyte der ived macrophages (MdM) infected with Chlamydia trachomatis (L(2)/434/B u or R biovars). TNF and PGE(2) were found in both cases while IL-1 al pha was not detected. Both TNF and PGE(2) levels were higher in the me dium of the MdM infected with R biovars. TNF reached maximum levels 24 h postinfection, and then declined, while PGE(2) levels increased con tinuously during the infection time up to 96 h post-infection. Additio n of dexamethasone inhibited production of TNF and PGE(2). Inhibition of PGE(2) production by indomethacin resulted in increased production of TNF, while addition of PGE(2) caused partial inhibition of TNF prod uction from infected MdM.