Effects of PGE(2) on amount and composition of high molecular weight glycoproteins released by human culture

The aim of this study was to determine effects of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) on amount and composition of high molecular weight glycoproteins (HMG), released by human gastric mucous cells in primary culture. PGE(2) stimulated the release of HMG, as evidenced by measurement of total carbohydrate and protein content, in a concentration-dependent manner. At the maximally tested concentration of 10(-5) mol/l, the increase amounted to 53% and 85%, over controls, for carbohydrate and protein, respectively. The stimulated release was accompanied by alterations of HMG glycosylation. As detected by lectin-ELISA, there was a relative decrease in N-acetyl glucosamine and an increase in mannose and galactose content. The sialic acid content increased in parallel to the total carbohydrate content. These results suggest that PGE(2) plays a regulatory role in the synthesis and secretion of HMG by human gastric mucous cells.