Inhibition by 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta production and messenger RNA expression in human monocytes stimulated by Helicobacter pylori.

We investigated the effects of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 on the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta in human monocytes stimulated with Helicobacter pylori. Monocytes isolated from human peripheral blood were incubated for 24 hr with the extract of H. pylori diluted 1:100 to 1:100,000 by volume, a combination of the extract and 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2, or a vehicle alone. The extract stimulated the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta and the expression of their messenger RNA in a dose-dependent manner. 16,16-Dimethyl prostaglandin E2 inhibited the production of these cytokines and their messenger RNA in the presence of H. pylori at doses higher than 10(-6) M, predominantly with tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These data suggest that antiinflammatory effects of prostaglandins on gastric mucosa are in part related to their effects on inhibition of production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes.