Regulation of the immune response by prostaglandins

This paper reviews work on the regulation of humoral and cellular immunity by prostaglandins. A substantial body of evidence implicates prostaglandins E₁ and E₂ as local feedback inhibitors of T-cell activation in vitro and in vivo. Blockade of prostaglandin synthesis in vitro or in vivo results in an enhanced cellular immune response in a number of different experimental systems. Prostaglandins of the E and F series also modulate humoral immune responses such as B-cell activation or antibody production. Several disease states are discussed where disordered regulation by prostaglandins might have a role in the altered immune responses.