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Human umbilical vein endothelial cells express multiple prolactin isoforms
A M Corbacho1, Y Macotela, G Nava
1Centro de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 76001, Querétaro, Qro, México.
The Journal of Endocrinology
|June 17, 2000
Summary
Prolactin (PRL) gene is expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), producing various PRL isoforms. Unlike in bovine cells, these HUVEC-derived PRLs show minimal bioactivity and can stimulate proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Prolactin (PRL) hormonal family members influence endothelial cell functions.
- PRL isoforms may act as autocrine regulators in endothelial cells.
- Bovine brain capillary endothelial cells (BBCEC) express the PRL gene, and anti-PRL antibodies inhibit their proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of PRL gene and its isoforms in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).
- To compare the bioactivity and functional effects of PRL in HUVEC with those in BBCEC.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect PRL mRNA.
- Immunocytochemistry and metabolic labeling immunoprecipitation to identify PRL proteins.
- Nb2 cell proliferation bioassay to determine PRL bioactivity.
Main Results:
- HUVEC express full-length PRL mRNA and a smaller PRL transcript.
- PRL immunoreactive proteins of various molecular masses (60, 23, 21, 16, and 14 kDa) were detected in HUVEC.
- HUVEC-conditioned media exhibited low PRL bioactivity, and anti-PRL antibodies stimulated HUVEC proliferation.
Conclusions:
- The PRL gene is expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, similar to bovine brain capillary endothelial cells.
- Endothelium from different species and vessel types share PRL gene expression.
- The autocrine role of expressed PRL isoforms may differ between endothelial cell types.