leukotriene-b4 and Peripheral-Nervous-System-Diseases

Schwann cells are capable of producing many immunomodulatory molecules, which indicates that they may play an active role in autoimmune diseases of the peripheral nervous system. We have previously reported production of the prostanoids prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane A2, products of arachidonic acid metabolism, by Schwann cells. This study reports that Schwann cells are capable of producing leukotriene C4, also a product of arachidonic acid metabolism. Production of leukotriene C4 was in response to pre-incubation of the Schwann cells with the cytokines interferon-gamma and tumour necrosis factor-alpha followed by incubation with dimethylsulfoxide. The cytokines alone did not elicit a response nor did stimulation with calcium ionophore, phorbol ester or lipopolysaccharide.

Topics: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; Cells, Cultured; Dimethyl Sulfoxide; Interferon-gamma; Leukotriene B4; Leukotriene C4; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Schwann Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha