Production of prostaglandin E₂ by macrophages in uraemia

Production of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), interleukin-2, and response to lectin stimulation were examined in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from 46 patients on haemodialysis, 20 patients on continuous peritoneal dialysis, 18 non-dialysed patients with mild to moderate renal failure, and 52 control subjects. Production of PGE₂ and responses to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) were decreased in cell cultures from patients on dialysis. Similarly, production of interleukin-2 was significantly reduced in patient groups as compared to control subjects, but there was no relationship between production of PGE₂ and responses to PHA or production of interleukin-2. Addition of exogenous indomethacin did not return the response to normal and the patient cultures were not more sensitive to exogenous PGE₂ than the control cultures. Thus, release of PGE₂ does not account for the impaired in vitro response of uraemic lymphocytes.