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Prolactin and autoimmune diseases in humans
1Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
Acta Bio-Medica : Atenei Parmensis
|May 1, 2007
Summary
Prolactin, a hormone with immune effects, may influence autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Lowering prolactin shows promise in animal models and early human trials for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Prolactin exhibits immunomodulatory and lactogenic functions.
- Emerging evidence suggests prolactin's involvement in autoimmune disease pathogenesis.
- Decreased prolactin production has demonstrated therapeutic benefits in animal models of autoimmune conditions.
Discussion:
- Dopamine agonist treatment, which reduces prolactin, has shown potential efficacy in human lupus patients through double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies.
- Open-label trials indicate possible benefits of prolactin-lowering agents in rheumatoid arthritis, Reiter's syndrome, and psoriasis.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of prolactin's influence on autoimmune disease activity.
Key Insights:
- Prolactin plays a potential role in the activity of autoimmune diseases.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting prolactin reduction warrant further investigation.
- Human studies, particularly in lupus, support the potential of dopamine agonists.
Outlook:
- Future research should focus on identifying specific autoimmune diseases where prolactin is a significant factor.
- Elucidating the detailed mechanisms of prolactin's impact on autoimmunity is crucial.
- Clinical trials are necessary to establish the efficacy and safety of prolactin-lowering agents for various autoimmune diseases.
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