Arachidonic acid metabolism by cells in culture: analyses of culture fluids for cyclooxygenase products by radioimmunoassay before and after separation by high pressure liquid chromatography.

Biosynthesis of PGI2, measured as 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, thromboxane A2, measured as thromboxine B2, and prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha and D2 by lymphocytes (WEHI-5), endothelial cells, normal human lung cells (WI-38), normal human fibroblasts (D-550), rat adult Type II alveolar cells (L-2) and canine kidney cells (MDCK) was measured by radioimmunoassay of culture fluids before and after their separation by high pressure liquid chromatography. The metabolic profiles and the levels of each metabolite obtained by both procedures were comparable. The profile of arachidonic biosynthesis was unique to each cell. Endothelial cells synthesized primarily prostacyclin; the lymphocytes synthesized principally thromboxane. The dog kidney cells synthesized relatively large amounts of prostaglandin F2 alpha, I2 and E2, while the normal human lung cells produced predominantly prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha, and thromboxane. The rat adult alveolar cell (L-2) and the normal human fibroblasts (D-550) biosynthesized primarily prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha.