title: Prolactin: an emerging force along the cutaneous-endocrine axis.
abstract: Prolactin (PRL), one of the most diverse regulators in mammalian biology, is produced in both human skin and hair follicles. Important advances in our understanding of the intracutaneous regulation and functions of PRL have recently been made using the serum-free skin and hair follicle organ culture technique. Given that human skin is the largest peripheral endocrine organ and a key interface between the endocrine, nervous and immune systems, a detailed understanding of PRL in the cutaneous context promises to have far-reaching implications beyond the skin. The current review presents a timely cutaneous perspective on the production, regulation and functions of PRL and summarizes the key questions facing extrapituitary PRL research in general and cutaneous PRL research in particular.
authors.affiliation: Epithelial Sciences, School of Translational Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: Ewan A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Langan
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Foitzik-Lau
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goffin
authors.forename: Yuval
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ramot
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011388:Prolactin / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D011388:Prolactin