Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 production in amnion cells in culture by a substance(s) in human fetal and adult urine.

A protein or protein-associated substance(s) in human fetal urine effects a 10- to 600-fold increase in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis by human amnion cells maintained in monolayer culture; the increase in PGE2 synthesis is maximal by 12 h. Fetal urine did not cause a similar increase in PGE2 synthesis is maximal by 12 h. Fetal urine did not cause a similar increase in PGE2 synthesis in cells derived from other human tissues tested. A similar PGE2 synthesis-stimulatory activity is present in adult urine and the activity in adult urine is correlated inversely (p less than 0.001) with creatinine concentration. These findings are suggestive that a substance produced in, or excreted by, kidney acts to induce PGE2 synthesis in a tissue-specific manner.