Prolactin induces the production of Th17 and Th1 cytokines/chemokines in murine Imiquimod-induced psoriasiform skin.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary-derived neuropeptide hormone that has been suggested to promote the development of psoriasis, a Th17/Th1-mediated inflammatory dermatosis. PRL increases the expression of Th1 cytokines; however, its effects on Th17 responses are unknown.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aims to determine the in vivo effects of PRL on the expression of Th17 cytokines/chemokines in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform skin inflammation in mice.

METHODS:

BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally injected with PRL or phosphate-buffered saline, and imiquimod cream or Vaseline was applied to the shaved back skin for six consecutive days.

RESULTS:

Intraperitoneal PRL increased the mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, IL-23p19, IL-12p40, CCL20 and STAT3 in imiquimod-treated skin. Mice treated with imiquimod plus PRL, but not those treated with imiquimod plus phosphate-buffered saline, showed significantly increased mRNA levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-12p35 and CXCL2 compared with controls. Intraperitoneal PRL increased the numbers of CD3(+) and GR-1(+) cells in the dermis of imiquimod-treated skin.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest that intraperitoneal PRL enhances the expression of Th17 and Th1 cytokines/chemokines, and augments inflammation in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform skin. Prolactin may thus exacerbate psoriasis through the enhancement of Th17/Th1 responses.

• Authors: C S Hau, N Kanda, Y Tada, S Shibata, S Sato, S Watanabe
• Journal: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV (J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol) Vol. 28 Issue 10 Pg. 1370-9 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1468-3083 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24304413 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2013 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

Chemical References

• Aminoquinolines
• Cytokines
• RNA, Messenger
• Recombinant Proteins
• Prolactin
• Imiquimod

Topics

• Aminoquinolines (toxicity)
• Animals
• Cytokines (genetics)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Imiquimod
• Injections, Intraperitoneal
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Prolactin (therapeutic use)
• Psoriasis (chemically induced, drug therapy, immunology)
• RNA, Messenger (genetics)
• Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Recombinant Proteins
• Th1 Cells (immunology)
• Th17 Cells (immunology)