The nature of the prostaglandin-producing mononuclear cell in human peripheral blood.

The purpose of this investigation was to identify the human peripheral mononuclear cell responsible for PGE production. The prostaglandin-producing cell had the following characteristics: (1) was glass adherent; (2) was removed by techniques that effectively removed phagocytic cells (carbonyl iron); and (3) was not an E-rosette cell. Furthermore, the peripheral mononuclear cells that contain cytoplasmic PGE by indirect immunofluorescence also ingest latex particles. B and T lymphoid cell lines did not produce large quantities of PGE. Mononuclear cells separated on discontinuous BSA gradients varied greatly in their ability to produce prostaglandin (low density > high density). These data constitute strong evidence that the majority of PGE produced in peripheral mononuclear cell suspensions emanates from a population of low-density monocytes.