Virus-Transformed Macrophage-Like Cell Line as Tool for Eicosanoid Research

The ability of a virus-transformed murine macrophage like cell line HA 38 to produce different eicosanoid metabolites was examined. HA 38 cells release similar amounts of prostaglandins and leukotrienes as did murine peritoneal macrophages in response to both physiological and non-physiological stimuli. Enzyme systems known to be involved in the regulation of eicosanoid synthesis are expressed. HA 38 cells thus are a well defined macrophage model system and are well suited to study eicosanoid synthesis in macrophages and effects of drugs on the prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis pathways.