[Prolactin in the immunological system: synthesis and biological effects].
Prolactin (PRL) is a 23 kDa protein hormone that is produced and secreted by the pituitary lactotrophs. Although PRL was initially regarded as an exclusive pituitary hormone, many nonpituitary tissues were later found to contain and produce this hormone. The most established extrapituitary sites that produce PRL are the decidua, the immune system, brain and endometrium. In the immune system, PRL acts as a cytokine where it plays an important role in human immune responses, including in autoimmune diseases. Here, we will discuss the regulation of PRL gene expression in human lymphocytes and review the functions of PRL made by the immune cells, including its involvement in autoimmunity.
Méndez
Isabel
I
Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán. isabelcm@servidor.unam.mx
Cariño
Cecilia
C
Díaz
Lorenza
L
D000818:Animals; D019898:Autocrine Communication; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D019899:Paracrine Communication; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000502:physiology; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D011388:Prolactin