We have studied the short-term effects of interleukin 1, lipopolysaccharide, and interferon on prostaglandin release from freshly isolated human peripheral monocytes. When the cells were pretreated for 8 to 9 hr with either E. coli lipopolysaccharide or recombinant interleukin 1 (beta), prostaglandin release increased. Inclusion of recombinant IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma during the pretreatment phase blocked subsequent prostaglandin release. Interferons were effective at concentrations in the range of 1 to 10 antiviral units/ml, and the inhibition was manifested within several hours after exposure to the lymphokine. Similar trends were observed by measuring thromboxane release. These data suggest antagonistic roles for interleukin 1 and interferon in the regulation of eicosanoid release from monocytes.