Leukotrienes and macrophage activation: augmented cytotoxic activity and enhanced interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor and hydrogen peroxide production.

Leukotrienes (LT), and in particular LTB4, are potent inflammatory mediators and immunomodulators. In its interactions with leukocytes, LTB4 can activate numerous functions of neutrophils and modulate the activities of various lymphocyte subsets. LTB4 can also augment macrophage and monocyte cytotoxic activities and enhance their production of hydrogen peroxide and the monokines interleukin 1 and tumor necrosis factor. These observations allow a more detailed understanding of the effects of LTB4 on cellular immune and inflammatory functions.