The effects of mouse recombinant gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) and indomethacin on bone resorption stimulated by bradykinin, Lys-bradykinin, Met-Lys-bradykinin, des-Arg9-bradykinin and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been studied using cultures of neonatal calvarial bones and analyzing the release of 45Ca from prelabelled bones as a parameter of bone resorption. In addition, the effects of gamma-IFN and indomethacin on formation of PGE2 in bone cultures stimulated by bradykinin was analyzed. Indomethacin (1 mumol/l) totally abolished bradykinin (1 mumol/l) induced 45Ca release. The inhibitory effect of indomethacin could be fully reversed by addition of PGE2 (1 mumol/l). gamma-IFN (1000 U/ml) almost totally inhibited 45Ca release stimulated by bradykinin (1 mumol/l), but the inhibitory effect could only be partially overcome by PGE2. gamma-IFN and indomethacin also inhibited the stimulatory effects of Lys-bradykinin, Met-Lys-bradykinin and des-Arg9-bradykinin (1 mumol/l) on 45Ca release. The stimulatory effects of PGE2 (1 mumol/l) on radioactive calcium mobilization was partially inhibited by gamma-IFN (1000 U/ml), whereas indomethacin (1 mumol/l) was without effect. The inhibitory effect of gamma-IFN on 45Ca release stimulated by bradykinin and PGE2 was dose-dependent with threshold for action at 3-30 U/ml. Comparative dose-response curves showed that gamma-IFN was most potent as inhibitor of bradykinin induced 45Ca release. Bradykinin (1 mumol/l) significantly stimulated PGE2 formation by a mechanism that was completely inhibited by indomethacin (1 mumol/l). gamma-IFN (1000 U/ml) partially inhibited the stimulatory effect of bradykinin on PGE2 formation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)