Modulation of prolactin expression in human T lymphocytes by cytokines.
Besides its pivotal role in reproduction, the polypeptide hormone prolactin (PRL) has immunomodulatory properties. Whereas the bulk of circulating PRL is produced by the pituitary, PRL is also produced by the decidua, the myometrium, the mammary gland and leukocytes. Extrapituitary PRL expression is regulated differently from that in the pituitary, due to the use of an alternative promoter. Here we show for the first time that in T lymphocytes PRL expression is subject to regulation by cytokines. We established that both IL-2 and IL-4 reduced PRL mRNA levels in T lymphocytes to 25 and 28% of control values, respectively. PRL mRNA expression was inhibited to a lesser extent by IL-1beta, which decreased PRL mRNA levels to 58% of control values.
Gerlo
Sarah
S
Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Immunology, Department of Pharmacology, Free University of Brussels (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium. Sarah.gerlo@vub.ac.be
Verdood
Peggy
P
Hooghe-Peters
Elisabeth L
EL
Kooijman
Ron
R
D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D011388:Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011388:Prolactin