Prostaglandin Production by Normal and Transformed 3T3 Fibroblasts in Cell Culture

Prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2alpha were quantitatively determined in culture media from Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts and two virus-transformed derivatives of these cells. Regular and (simian virus 40)-transformed 3T3 cells produced low and almost identical prostaglandin E2 concentrations. The levels were maximal (10 ng/ml) 24 h after planting and decreased during the next 96 h to 2.5 ng/ml. In contrast, polyoma-virus-transformed 3T3 cells produced prostaglandin E2 continuously for 120 h, giving a final concentration of 270 ng/ml. Fresh medium supplemented with calf serum reinitiated prostaglandin production in confluent 3T3 cells. Maximal prostaglandin E2 concentrations were obtained between 6 and 18 h after medium change and were proportional to the serum concentration of the medium. Indomethacin (10(-6) M) completely inhibited prostaglandin E2 production but not prostaglandin F2alpha production by these cells.