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Prolactin gene expression in mouse spleen helper T cells
1Laboratory of Functional Anatomy, Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Meiji University, 1-1-1 Higashimita, Tama, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 214-8571, Japan.
The Journal of Endocrinology
|December 14, 2004
Summary
Mouse spleens express prolactin (PRL) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and the hormone itself. These findings indicate that T cells synthesize prolactin within the spleen, suggesting a role in immune regulation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Prolactin (PRL) is primarily secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.
- Ectopic gene expression of prolactin has been observed in various tissues.
- Lymphocytes are known to produce PRL, implicating it in immune regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and localization of prolactin (PRL) and its mRNA in mouse spleens.
- To determine if spleen-derived PRL is synthesized by specific immune cell populations.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blotting to detect PRL mRNA.
- Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to localize mPRL and its mRNA.
- Double-fluorescence staining to identify mPRL-producing cells (co-localization with CD4, CD19, CD40 markers).
Main Results:
- Mouse prolactin (mPRL) gene expression was detected in spleen samples from 0-60 days postpartum.
- mPRL mRNA was localized to the sheathed artery, periarterial lymphatic sheath, and marginal zone of the spleen.
- mPRL immunoreactivity was found in the same regions as its mRNA and co-localized with CD4-positive helper T cells, but not with B cells (CD19, CD40).
Conclusions:
- The mouse spleen expresses prolactin (PRL) and its mRNA.
- T cells within the mouse spleen synthesize mPRL.
- This suggests a novel role for T cell-derived PRL in splenic immune function.