Identification and Functional Activity of Prolactin Receptors in Thymic Epithelial Cells

Overview

Journal Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Specialty Science

Date 1991 Nov 1

PMID 1946390

Citations 9

Authors

M Dardenne

P A Kelly

J F Bach

W Savino

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs), the major component of the thymic microenvironment, can be modulated by pituitary hormones. We have shown previously that prolactin (PRL) can influence the endocrine activity of TECs and stimulate TEC proliferation as well as cytokeratin expression, suggesting the existence of PRL receptors on TECs. Using a series of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the extracellular domain of the rat liver PRL receptor, we have demonstrate that rat TECs bear specific receptors for PRL, as assessed by immunoblotting as well as by immunocytochemistry experiments. Using a probe specific for the long form of PRL receptor, mRNAs of 6.7 and 10.1 kilobases were detected, although by immunoblot the major protein in TECs had a molecular mass of 43 kDa. Functionally, these mAbs were able to modulate thymulin secretion, as well as TEC proliferation. Moreover, the mAbs cross-reacted with human TECs and were able to mimic the action of PRL on these cells. These data bring further support for the general concept of the neuroendocrine immune circuit and extend the notion for a pleiotropic role of PRL as an immunomodulatory hormone.

Citing Articles

Prolactin Acts on Myeloid Progenitors to Modulate SMAD7 Expression and Enhance Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation into the NK Cell Lineage.

Tufa D, Shank T, Yingst A, Trahan G, Shim S, Lake J Sci Rep. 2020; 10(1):6335.

PMID: 32286456 PMC: 7156717. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63346-4.

Hormonal control of T-cell development in health and disease.

Savino W, Mendes-da-Cruz D, Lepletier A, Dardenne M Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2015; 12(2):77-89.

PMID: 26437623 DOI: 10.1038/nrendo.2015.168.

Thymulin-based gene therapy and pituitary function in animal models of aging.

Reggiani P, Poch B, Console G, Rimoldi O, Schwerdt J, Tungler V Neuroimmunomodulation. 2011; 18(5):350-6.

PMID: 21952687 PMC: 3221262. DOI: 10.1159/000329495.

The thymus-neuroendocrine axis: physiology, molecular biology, and therapeutic potential of the thymic peptide thymulin.

Reggiani P, Morel G, Console G, Barbeito C, Rodriguez S, Brown O Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009; 1153:98-106.

PMID: 19236333 PMC: 2688715. DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03964.x.

Defective mammopoiesis, but normal hematopoiesis, in mice with a targeted disruption of the prolactin gene.

Horseman N, Zhao W, Tanaka M, Nakashima K, Engle S, Smith F EMBO J. 1998; 16(23):6926-35.

PMID: 9384572 PMC: 1170296. DOI: 10.1093/emboj/16.23.6926.

References

Bach J, Bardenne M, Pleau J, Rosa J . Biochemical characterisation of a serum thymic factor. Nature. 1977; 266(5597):55-7. DOI: 10.1038/266055a0. View

Clevenger C, Altmann S, Prystowsky M . Requirement of nuclear prolactin for interleukin-2--stimulated proliferation of T lymphocytes. Science. 1991; 253(5015):77-9. DOI: 10.1126/science.2063207. View

Chirgwin J, Przybyla A, MacDonald R, Rutter W . Isolation of biologically active ribonucleic acid from sources enriched in ribonuclease. Biochemistry. 1979; 18(24):5294-9. DOI: 10.1021/bi00591a005. View

NOBLE R, BEER C, Gout P . Evidence in vivo and in vitro of a role for the pituitary in the growth of malignant lymphomas in Nb rats. Cancer Res. 1980; 40(7):2437-40. View

Djiane J, Houdebine L, Kelly P . Prolactin-like activity of anti-prolactin receptor antibodies on casein and DNA synthesis in the mammary gland. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981; 78(12):7445-8. PMC: 349284. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.78.12.7445. View

Itoh T, Kasahara S, Mori T . A thymic epithelial cell line, IT-45R1, induces the differentiation of prethymic progenitor cells into postthymic cells through direct contact. Thymus. 1982; 4(2):69-75. View

Savino W, Dardenne M, PAPIERNIK M, Bach J . Thymic hormone-containing cells. Characterization and localization of serum thymic factor in young mouse thymus studied by monoclonal antibodies. J Exp Med. 1982; 156(2):628-33. PMC: 2186764. DOI: 10.1084/jem.156.2.628. View

Gratzner H . Monoclonal antibody to 5-bromo- and 5-iododeoxyuridine: A new reagent for detection of DNA replication. Science. 1982; 218(4571):474-5. DOI: 10.1126/science.7123245. View

Dardenne M, Pleau J, Nabarra B, Lefrancier P, Derrien M, CHOAY J . Contribution of zinc and other metals to the biological activity of the serum thymic factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1982; 79(17):5370-3. PMC: 346898. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.79.17.5370. View

10.

Shiu R, Elsholtz H, Tanaka T, Friesen H, Gout P, BEER C . Receptor-mediated mitogenic action of prolactin in a rat lymphoma cell line. Endocrinology. 1983; 113(1):159-65. DOI: 10.1210/endo-113-1-159. View

11.

Russell D, Kibler R, Matrisian L, Larson D, Poulos B, Magun B . Prolactin receptors on human T and B lymphocytes: antagonism of prolactin binding by cyclosporine. J Immunol. 1985; 134(5):3027-31. View

12.

Djiane J, Dusanter-Fourt I, Katoh M, Kelly P . Biological activities of binding site specific monoclonal antibodies to prolactin receptors of rabbit mammary gland. J Biol Chem. 1985; 260(21):11430-5. View

13.

Dardenne M, Savino W, Berrih S, Bach J . A zinc-dependent epitope on the molecule of thymulin, a thymic hormone. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985; 82(20):7035-8. PMC: 391304. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.82.20.7035. View

14.

Savino W, Dardenne M . Analysis of thymic epithelial cell proliferation in vitro by combining bromodeoxyuridine and keratin labeling in an immunofluorescence assay. J Immunol Methods. 1985; 85(1):221-6. DOI: 10.1016/0022-1759(85)90290-x. View

15.

Laussac J, Cung M, Pasdeloup M, Haran R, Marraud M, Lefrancier P . NMR study of thymulin, a lymphocyte differentiating thymic nonapeptide. Conformational states of free peptide in solution. J Biol Chem. 1986; 261(17):7784-90. View

16.

Kelley K, Brief S, Westly H, Novakofski J, Bechtel P, Simon J . GH3 pituitary adenoma cells can reverse thymic aging in rats. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1986; 83(15):5663-7. PMC: 386349. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.83.15.5663. View

17.

Savino W, Dardenne M . Thymic hormone-containing cells. VIII. Effects of colchicine, cytochalasin B, and monensin on secretion of thymulin by cultured human thymic epithelial cells. J Histochem Cytochem. 1986; 34(12):1719-23. DOI: 10.1177/34.12.3782779. View

18.

Katoh M, Raguet S, Zachwieja J, Djiane J, Kelly P . Hepatic prolactin receptors in the rat: characterization using monoclonal antireceptor antibodies. Endocrinology. 1987; 120(2):739-49. DOI: 10.1210/endo-120-2-739. View

19.

Montgomery D, Zukoski C, Shah G, Buckley A, Pacholczyk T, Russell D . Concanavalin A-stimulated murine splenocytes produce a factor with prolactin-like bioactivity and immunoreactivity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1987; 145(2):692-8. DOI: 10.1016/0006-291x(87)91020-5. View

20.

BELLUSSI G, Muccioli G, Ghe C, Di Carlo R . Prolactin binding sites in human erythrocytes and lymphocytes. Life Sci. 1987; 41(8):951-9. DOI: 10.1016/0024-3205(87)90682-5. View