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[Immunological properties of prolactin]
A Montero1, A G Giovannoni, L Sen
1Hospital Centenario, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
Medicina
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Prolactin (PRL) significantly interacts with the immune system, acting as a growth factor and cytokine. This hormone stimulates lymphocyte proliferation and immune cell differentiation, impacting immune responses and disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- A complex interplay exists between prolactin (PRL) and the immune system.
- PRL functions beyond a hormone, acting as a growth factor and immune co-mitogenic cytokine.
- Immune cells locally secrete PRL, and pituitary PRL production is influenced by pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted roles of prolactin in immune system regulation.
- To explore prolactin's function as a growth factor and cytokine in immune responses.
- To investigate the implications of prolactin's immunological properties for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on prolactin-immune system interactions.
- Analysis of prolactin's effects on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine synthesis.
- Examination of prolactin's influence on Natural Killer (NK) cell differentiation.
Main Results:
- Prolactin (PRL) stimulates lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine secretion upon receptor binding.
- PRL is essential for lymphoid cell line growth and is produced by lymphocytes.
- PRL differentiates NK cells into prolactin-activated killer (PAK) cells and induces IFN-gamma and IL-2 synthesis.
Conclusions:
- Prolactin exhibits significant cytokine-like properties, supporting its role in immune regulation.
- PRL's involvement in normal immunity and pathology suggests potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
- The bi-directional communication between prolactin and the immune system is critical for immune function.