title: Concomitant myasthenia gravis and macroprolactinoma: the immunomodulatory role of prolactin and its potential therapeutic use.
abstract: Considerable evidence attests to the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary endocrine axis (HPA) in the maintenance of normal immunocompetence. The immune and neuroendocrine systems are integrally linked and coordinated with bidirectional communication maintaining immune balance. Any disturbance of the normal function of the HPA may significantly alter native immunocompetence and therefore be associated with the development of disorders which have a clearly established autoimmune basis. Molecular and functional evidence shows prolactin, produced by the anterior pituitary, to be a cytokine, exerting its effect via both paracrine and endocrine mechanisms [1]. Its involvement in the activation of multiple immune responses may adversely upregulate certain autoimmune diseases. Myasthenia gravis (MG) has long been recognized as an autoimmune disorder. In this mini review, we present the coterminous presentation of MG and prolactin-secreting macroadenoma. We review published cases in the world literature, discuss pathological mechanism, and consider future targeted therapies.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Endocrinology, Neurology and Radiology, Medway Maritime Hospital, c/o Diabetes Centre, Residence 9, Gillingham, ME7 5NY, UK, sophieharris88@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: H M C
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Scobie
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000639:trends; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D010911:Pituitary Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D011388:Prolactin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D015175:Prolactinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin