Prolactin and the Skin: A Dermatological Perspective on an Ancient Pleiotropic Peptide Hormone

December 2008 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Kerstin Foitzik, Ewan A. Langan, Ralf Paus

prolactin PRL PRLR prolactin receptors hair growth-inhibitory hormone alopecia keratinocyte proliferation immune cell differentiation angiogenesis PRLR antagonists hair loss hair growth

Studysummary This review discusses the possible impacts of prolactin on skin conditions like psoriasis, alopecia, and stress-related dermatoses, emphasizing the need for further research to explore its therapeutic potential.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document from 2009 explores the role of prolactin (PRL) in skin biology, emphasizing its widespread presence in skin cell populations and its complex role in skin immune responses and epithelial biology. PRL is known to influence hair growth, with evidence suggesting it primarily acts as a hair growth-inhibitory hormone, although there are site-, gender-, species-, and dose-dependent variations. PRL and its receptors (PRLR) are implicated in various skin conditions, including psoriasis, alopecia, and stress-related dermatoses, and may contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases through its effects on keratinocyte proliferation, immune cell differentiation, and angiogenesis. The document underscores the potential of PRLR-mediated signaling as a therapeutic target for skin disorders, noting the need for more effective PRLR antagonists. Further research is encouraged to better understand the "PRL-skin connection" and develop new strategies for managing skin diseases.

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research Human Scalp Hair Follicles Are Both a Target and a Source of Prolactin, Which Serves as an Autocrine and/or Paracrine Promoter of Apoptosis-Driven Hair Follicle Regression

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research Hair Growth Inhibition by Psychoemotional Stress: A Mouse Model for Neural Mechanisms in Hair Growth Control

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research Does Prolactin Play a Role in Skin Biology and Pathology?

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research Hormonal Diagnosis of So-Called Androgenetic Alopecia in Women

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