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

May 2009 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

TLDR Prolactin affects hair growth and skin conditions, and could be a target for new skin disease treatments.

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 Prolactin Delays Hair Regrowth in Mice

53 citations, November 2006 in “Journal of Endocrinology”

Prolactin slows down hair growth in mice.

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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

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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Prolactin contributes to hair loss by promoting hair follicle shrinkage and cell death.

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Stress can worsen skin conditions and stop hair growth by affecting the body's stress response system.

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CRH in the skin acts like the body's stress response system, affecting cell behavior and immune activity.

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Effective acne treatments should reduce sebum, bacteria, and inflammation, with isotretinoin being the best for severe cases.

Prolactin and Its Receptor Are Expressed in Murine Hair Follicle Epithelium, Show Hair Cycle-Dependent Expression, and Induce Catagen

research Prolactin and Its Receptor Are Expressed in Murine Hair Follicle Epithelium, Show Hair Cycle-Dependent Expression, and Induce Catagen

91 citations, May 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology”

Prolactin affects hair growth cycles and can cause early hair follicle regression.

research Molecular Genetic and Endocrine Mechanisms of Hair Growth

51 citations, January 2003 in “Hormone Research in Paediatrics”

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Prolactin Signaling Influences the Timing Mechanism of the Hair Follicle: Analysis of Hair Growth Cycles in Prolactin Receptor Knockout Mice

research Prolactin Signaling Influences the Timing Mechanism of the Hair Follicle: Analysis of Hair Growth Cycles in Prolactin Receptor Knockout Mice

73 citations, June 2001 in “Endocrinology”

Prolactin affects when mice shed and grow hair.

research Hormonal Basis of Male and Female Androgenic Alopecia: Clinical Relevance

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41 citations, September 1991 in “Medical hypotheses”

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