Effects of vasoactive and inflammatory agents on cyclic AMP levels in W138 fibroblasts, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells in culture.

The vasoactive amines noradrenaline, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine and the beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, had no effect on porcine aortic endothelial or smooth muscle cell cyclic AMP, but these amines increased the level of cyclic AMP in W138 fibroblasts. PGE1, PGE2 and PGI2 were also without effect on endothelial or smooth muscle cells, while increasing WI38 cell cyclic AMP. PGF2 alpha and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha had no effect on all three types of cell. Inhibition of endogenous prostaglandin production by the cells, using aspirin, did not affect the basal levels of cyclic AMP or the subsequent responses to added prostaglandins in all three cell types.