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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Proliferation and Differentiation of Murine Myeloid Precursor 32D/G-CSF-R Cells
Published on: February 21, 2018
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha activates the extrapituitary PRL promoter in myeloid leukemic cells
Sarah Gerlo1, Peggy Verdood, Ron Kooijman
1Neuroendocrine Immunology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, Free University of Brussels (V.U.B.), Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract:
The pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL) is also produced extrapituitarily by cells of the immune system. In leukocytes PRL expression is directed by an alternative promoter, located 5800 bp upstream of the pituitary promoter. We have shown here that this alternative promoter is activated in myeloid leukemic cells by the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. The effect of TNF-alpha on promoter activation was blocked by the protein kinase C (PKC)-inhibitor GFX109203. In addition, we have shown that the TNF-alpha-responsive region is located between -1842 and -1662 of the extrapituitary PRL promoter. Our findings might have clinical relevance in view of recent data indicating leukocyte-derived PRL is involved in auto-immune and hematological disorders.
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