Stimulation of in vivo antibody production and concanavalin-A-induced mouse spleen cell mitogenesis by prolactin.
Regulation of the immune system by neuroendocrine hormones is receiving increased attention. Prolactin, a hormone normally associated with lactation, has been shown recently to reconstitute immunosuppressed hypophysectomized rats. The present studies demonstrate that prolactin administration to normal mice results in a biphasic stimulation of antibody production to sheep red blood cells. While 100 and 200 micrograms bovine prolactin/animal stimulated antibody production, 400 micrograms had no effect. Potentiation of lectin-induced T-cell mitogenesis by prolactin was also biphasic. As the concentration of prolactin increased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into the cells first increased and then decreased. Decreasing serum prolactin levels with the dopaminergic agonist bromocriptine resulted in a reduction of antibody titers to sheep erythrocytes and a modulation of thymic weight. These data show that prolactin can stimulate the immune system in a biphasic manner and that a reduction in the basal levels of this hormone results in an attenuated immune response.
Spangelo
B L
BL
Department of Biochemistry, George Washington University Medical School, Washington, D.C. 20037.
Hall
N R
NR
Ross
P C
PC
Goldstein
A L
AL
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects*; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000494:pharmacology; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000032:analysis; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology
D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D003208:Concanavalin A; D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin