The present study involves the determination of the effect of supernatants obtained from mitogen-induced lymphocytes of human tonsils and containing lymphotoxins on human peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). PMNs treated with supernatants from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes were found to increase the release of thromboxane B
2, compared to normal control levels. This increase was blocked by the preincubation of PMNs with indomethacin. The production or increase in production of thromboxanes may be induced by lymphotoxins since these substances have been reported to activate phospholipase A
2 in target cell membranes, which may result in release of the thromboxane precursor, arachidonic acid.