Heat-Killed Salmonella typhi Induces the Release of Prostaglandins and Leukotrienes from Mouse Macrophages

Abstract

Mouse macrophages pre-labeled with [³H]arachidonic acid (20:4) were shown to release metabolites generated by the lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase pathways following in vitro addition of heat-killed Salmonella typhi. These metabolites were maximally released after 60-90min of incubation and consisted of prostaglandins (85%), leukotriene C (6%), di-HETEs, leukotrienes D and E (4%), mono-HETEs (2%) and other metabolites (3%). Of the metabolites generated by the cyclo-oxygenase pathway (prostaglandins), 6-keto PGF1α and PGE2 were generated at a ratio of 1.2 to 1. The significance and importance of these results are discussed.