Interleukin-8 Production by Human Gingival Fibroblasts in Response to Periodontopathic Bacterial Lipopolysaccharides and Prostaglandin E2 In vitro

This study examined the modulating effect of PGE2 on LPS-induced IL-8 production by human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. The expression of IL-8 mRNA, after stimulation with PGE2, was determined by RT-PCR. IL-8 production by HGFs was shown to be related to the time of incubation and the dose of LPS. A slight increase in IL-8 levels was observed when cells were exposed to PGE2 alone compared to controls. When HGFs were pre-stimulated with PGE2 and then exposed to LPS, IL-8 production was increased 2-3 fold compared to non-treated cells. Herbimycin A completely abolished the secretion of IL-8. These results indicate that PGE2 can modulate cytokine secretion from HGFs and increase IL-8 production from cells exposed to LPS. IL-8 production induced by LPS was dependent on the tyrosine phosphorylation pathway.