Prostaglandin D2 and J2-series (PGJ2, Delta12-PGJ2) prostaglandins stimulate IL-6 and MCP-1, but inhibit leptin, expression and secretion by 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Prostaglandin D(2) and its derivatives PGJ(2) and Delta(12)-PGJ(2) strongly stimulate the synthesis and secretion by white adipocytes of the neurotrophin NGF. Here we have explored whether PGD(2) and the J(2)-series prostaglandins have pervasive effects on adipokine production. The influence of these prostaglandins on the production of the adipocyte hormones leptin and adiponectin, and the inflammatory factors IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), were examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. PGD(2) induced a reduction in adiponectin and leptin mRNA, and the secretion of these adipokines was also inhibited, the effect being greater with leptin (up to 10-fold) than with adiponectin (twofold). In contrast, PGD(2) induced a marked stimulation of IL-6 and MCP-1 expression; with IL-6, this was rapid, the mRNA level increasing by >50-fold by 1 h. The rise in mRNA was accompanied by an increase in IL-6 and MCP-1 release (up to 100- and 6.5-fold, respectively). The effects of PGD(2) were generally mirrored by PGJ(2) and Delta(12)-PGJ(2); Delta(12)-PGJ(2) was a particularly strong stimulator of IL-6 production. These results indicate that PGD(2) and the J(2)-series prostaglandins PGJ(2) and Delta(12)-PGJ(2) can have major effects on the synthesis and release of key adipokines. Such effects could be important in the inflammatory response in adipose tissue.