Pneumolysin potentiates production of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4 by human neutrophils

Exposure to pneumolysin (8.37 and 41.75 ng/ml) caused a calcium-dependent increase in the generation of prostaglandin E-2 and leukotriene B-4 by both resting and chemoattractant-activated human neutrophils in vitro. These interactions of pneumolysin with neutrophils may result in dysregulation of inflammatory responses during pneumococcal infection.