Nerve growth factor (NGF) has recently been shown to be secreted from white adipocytes, its production being strongly stimulated by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In this study, we have examined whether a series of prostaglandins and other inflammation-related factors also stimulate NGF expression and secretion by adipocytes, using 3T3-L1 cells. Although interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-10, and IL-18 each induced a small decrease in NGF mRNA level in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, there was no significant effect of these cytokines on NGF secretion. A small reduction in NGF expression and/or secretion was also observed with adiponectin and prostaglandins PGE(2), PGF(2alpha), and PGI(2). In marked contrast, prostaglandin PGD(2) induced a major, dose-dependent increase (up to 20- to 40-fold) in NGF expression and secretion. The PGD(2) metabolites, PGJ(2) and Delta(12)-PGJ(2), also induced major increases (up to 30-fold) in NGF production. A further metabolite of PGJ(2), 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist, led paradoxically to a small increase in NGF mRNA level but a fall in NGF secretion. Both PGD(2) and PGJ(2) induced significant increases in NGF gene expression by 4 h after their addition. It is concluded that PGD(2) and the J series prostaglandins, PGJ(2) and Delta(12)-PGJ(2), can play a significant role in the regulation of NGF production by white adipocytes. These results provide support for the view that NGF is an important inflammatory response protein, as well as a target-derived neurotrophin, in white adipose tissue.