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Defective natural killer cell activity in puerperal hyperprolactinemia
I Nicoletti1, R Gerli, S Orlandi
1Istituti di Clinica Medica 1, Perugia University School of Medicine, Italy.
Journal of Reproductive Immunology
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Physiological hyperprolactinemia during puerperium is linked to reduced natural killer (NK) cell activity. Chronically elevated prolactin (PRL) may directly inhibit NK cell maturation in women.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Prolactin (PRL) is known to modulate immune responses in both animals and humans.
- Pathological hyperprolactinemia has been associated with T-cell abnormalities and reduced natural killer (NK) cell activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between prolactin and the immune system in humans.
- To analyze T-cell phenotypes and NK cell activity in women with physiological hyperprolactinemia during puerperium.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of T-cell phenotypes and NK cell activity.
- Comparison between 15 puerperal women with physiological hyperprolactinemia and 45 age-matched healthy women.
- Measurement of NK cell activity against K-562 target cells.
Main Results:
- Puerperal women showed normal T-cell phenotypes but a significant reduction in Leu-7+ and Leu-11+ cells.
- A decrease in NK cell activity was observed in puerperal women.
- A significant inverse correlation was found between serum PRL levels and both the number of Leu-7+ cells and NK cell activity.
Conclusions:
- Prolactin plays a significant immunoregulatory role in humans.
- Chronically elevated prolactin concentrations may exert a direct inhibitory effect on NK cell maturation.