Stimulation of prostaglandin E production by bacterial endotoxins in cultured human synovial fibroblasts.

E coli, shigella, salmonella, and cholera endotoxins stimulated prostaglandin E (PGE) production by cultured human synovial and foreskin fibroblasts. The minimal effective dose of Shigella endotoxin was 2 micrograms/ml and a maximal response was observed at 10 micrograms/ml. PGE stimulation was first detected 7 hours after addition of cholera endotoxin. Stimulation by shigella endotoxin of both PGE and hyaluronic acid production was inhibited by indomethacin and aspirin. The present results suggest that PGE is a mediator of joint inflammation induced by endotoxins.