title: The role of the prolactin/vasoinhibin axis in rheumatoid arthritis: an integrative overview.
abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease destroying articular cartilage and bone. The female preponderance and the influence of reproductive states in RA have long linked this disease to sexually dimorphic, reproductive hormones such as prolactin (PRL). PRL has immune-enhancing properties and increases in the circulation of some patients with RA. However, PRL also suppresses the immune system, stimulates the formation and survival of joint tissues, acquires antiangiogenic properties upon its cleavage to vasoinhibins, and protects against joint destruction and inflammation in the adjuvant-induced model of RA. This review addresses risk factors for RA linked to PRL, the effects of PRL and vasoinhibins on joint tissues, blood vessels, and immune cells, and the clinical and experimental data associating PRL with RA. This information provides important insights into the pathophysiology of RA and highlights protective actions of the PRL/vasoinhibin axis that could lead to therapeutic benefits.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM, Juriquilla, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico. clapp@unam.mx.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Clapp
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM, Juriquilla, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico.
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Adán
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM, Juriquilla, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico.
authors.forename: María G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ledesma-Colunga
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM, Juriquilla, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solís-Gutiérrez
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Chemistry, Laboratory Medicine and Transfusion Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jakob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Triebel
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Campus UNAM, Juriquilla, 76230, Querétaro, Mexico.
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martínez de la Escalera
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007249:Inflammation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007596:Joints / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000276:immunology*; D012098:Reproduction; D012737:Sex Factors; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013315:Stress, Psychological
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D011388:Prolactin
keywords: Angiogenesis; Blood vessels; Bone; Cartilage; Gender; Immune cells; Joint tissues; Reproduction; Stress