泌乳素与自身免疫性疾病的研究进展

泌乳素(PRL)具有300多种独立的生物活性。其生理功能包括生殖、内分泌与代谢、维持水电解质平衡、促进生长发育,以及免疫调节和免疫保护功能等。近10年来,PRL与免疫系统之间的相互关系得到了阐述。PRL不仅能由垂体前叶分泌,而且垂体前叶以外的免疫细胞等也能够分泌PRL。内分泌、旁分泌和自分泌的PRL通过与泌乳素受体(PRL-R)结合,影响着靶细胞的生长、增殖和分化。自身免疫性疾病常伴有高泌乳素血症,推测PRL对人类的免疫调节起着重要的作用。

Recent progress in the relationship between prolactin and autoimmune diseases

More than 300 different biological activities have been attributed to prolactin(PRL).These activities can be subdivided into the following categories:reproduction,endocrine and metabolism,balance of water and electrolyte balance,growth and development,immunoregulation and immune protection.The relationship between PRL and the immune system has been elucidated in the last decade.PRL is secreted not only by anterior pituitary gland but also by many other sites of anterior pituitary including the immune cells.The endocrine and paracrine/autocrine PRL affect survival,proliferation and differentiation of target cells by binding to PRL receptors(PRL-R).Hyperprolactinemia frequently occurred in autoimmune diseases,PRL may play an important role in modulating the immune response in humans.