title: Prolactin has a pathogenic role in systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Prolactin, a 23-kDa peptide hormone, is produced by the anterior pituitary gland and extrapituitary sites including the immune cells. Prolactin (PRL) participates in innate and adaptive immune response. PRL stimulates the immune cells by binding to receptor (PRL-R). Binding of PRL to its receptor activates the Janus kinase-signal transducer (JAK-STAT). Activation of these cascades results in endpoints such as immunoestimulator and immunosupressor action. Prolactin belongs to the network of immune-neuroendocrine interaction. Hyperprolactinemia has been found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and new evidence has confirmed a significant correlation between serum PRL levels and disease activity. PRL participates in activation of SLE during pregnancy and in pathogenesis of lupus nephritis, neuropsychiatric, serosal, hematologic, articular, and cutaneous involvement. Hyperprolactinemia was associated with increase IgG concentrations, anti-DNA antibodies, immune complex, glomerulonephritis, and accelerated mortality in murine lupus. Bromocriptine, a dopamine analog that suppresses PRL secretion, was associated with decreased lupus activity, prolonged lifespan, and restoration of immune competence in experimental model. In clinical trials, bromocriptine and derivative drugs showed beneficial therapeutic effect in treating human lupus, including pregnancy. Taken together, clinical and experimental results leave little doubt that PRL indeed contributes to the pathogenesis and clinical expression of SLE.
authors.affiliation: Direction of Education and Research, Hospital de Especialidades Dr. Antonio Fraga Mouret, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico. luis_jara_quezada@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Luis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Jara
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Unit, Hospital de Especialidades Dr. Antonio Fraga Mouret, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Hospital de Especialidades Dr. Antonio Fraga Mouret, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Saavedra
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Especialidades "Dr. Antonio Fraga Mouret," Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, IMSS, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vera-Lastra
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juarez", Oaxaca, Mexico.
authors.forename: Honorio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Torres-Aguilar
authors.affiliation: Research Unit, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias. Secretaría de Salud, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Biología Molecular y Genómica, Instituto de Investigación en Reumatología y del Sistema Músculo Esquelético, Universidad de Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vazquez Del Mercado
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Section, School of Medicine, Louisiana State University, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Luis R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Espinoza
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001971:Bromocriptine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D001971:Bromocriptine; D011388:Prolactin
keywords: Adaptive immune response; Bromocriptine; Innate immune response; Prolactin; Systemic lupus erythematosus