Prostaglandins as modulators of macrophage development from bone marrow

The effect of prostaglandins (PGs) on the in vitro development of macrophages from bone marrow cells was examined. Elimination of PGs in the early stage of macrophage development resulted in a) accumulation of a macrophage population which was characterized by a relatively higher number and lower phagocytic activity, b) increase in plasma membrane viscosity, and c) decrease in Fc receptor expression. Partial inhibition of the rate of proliferation was observed when PGE₂ (not PGF₂( 1/2 ), was added at the early stage of development to indomethacin-treated cultures. Supplementing the indomethacin-treated cells with exogenous prostaglandins (PGF₂(α) and/or PGE₂) resulted in the development of cells similar to those of the control (untreated) group in functional and member properties.