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Published on: March 26, 2018
Prolactin receptor expression in human hematopoietic tissues analyzed by flow cytofluorometry
M Dardenne1, M do C de Moraes, P A Kelly
1CNRS URA 1461, Hôpital Necker, Paris, France.
Insights
Prolactin receptor (PRL-R) is widely expressed in human immune cells, including T-cells, B-cells, and monocytes. This suggests prolactin may regulate immune cell function through paracrine or autocrine signaling.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Prolactin receptor (PRL-R) plays a role in various physiological processes.
- Understanding PRL-R expression in hematopoietic tissues is crucial for immune system research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the expression of PRL receptor (PRL-R) in human hematopoietic tissues.
- To investigate the distribution and levels of PRL-R on different immune cell subsets.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytofluorometric analysis using biotinylated monoclonal antibodies against rat liver PRL-R.
- Analysis of T-cell subsets (CD4/CD8), B-cells, monocytes, and lymphoid cell lines.
Main Results:
- PRL-R is highly expressed in the thymus (>75% of cells).
- Ubiquitous PRL-R expression observed in peripheral blood immune cells (B-cells, monocytes, T-cells).
- PRL-R expression intensity increases in peripheral T-cells upon activation.
Conclusions:
- PRL-R is widely distributed across human hematopoietic cells.
- PRL signaling may influence immune cell function in both central and peripheral lymphoid organs.
- PRL gene expression in T-cells suggests autocrine/paracrine roles for prolactin in immunity.
Abstract:
PRL receptor (PRL-R) expression has been analyzed in human hematopoietic tissues using flow cytofluorometric analysis with a series of biotinylated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the extracellular domain of the rat liver PRL-R. In the thymus, more than 75% of cells were labeled by the anti-PRL-R mAb. Regarding PRL-R expression in the four T-cell subsets defined by CD4/CD8 expression, the majority of cells expressed low receptor levels, whereas a minority of double negative (CD4-CD8-) and single positive CD4+ cells were strongly labeled by the anti-PRL-R mAb. In the peripheral blood, an average of 80% of lymphoid cells, comprising all B-cells, all monocytes, and 75% of T-cells, were consistently PRL-R positive. Regarding T-cell subsets, similar percentages of PRL-R+ cells were observed in CD4+ and CD8+ peripheral lymphocytes (70-75%), and the density of labeling per cell was significantly lower than that occurring in B-cells or monocytes. Interestingly, the intensity of labeling significantly increased in peripheral T-cells after T-cell activation. The ubiquitous distribution of PRL-R in bone marrow stem cells, B-cells, monocytes, and T-cells was confirmed by the positive staining obtained in a set of human lymphoid cell lines. These data along with those showing that the PRL gene is specifically expressed in human T-cells suggest that lymphocyte PRL may act in a paracrine or autocrine fashion in both central and peripheral lymphoid organs.
