Prolactin: An Emerging Force Along the Cutaneous–Endocrine Axis

July 2010 in “ Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism ”

Ewan A. Langan, Kerstin Foitzik‐Lau, Vincent Goffin, Yuval Ramot, Ralf Paus

prolactin PRL hair follicle biology keratin expression epithelial stem cell biology PRLR antagonists knockout mice endocrine organ hair regrowth skin diseases hair disorders

Studysummary This review discusses prolactin production and regulation in human skin and hair follicles, highlighting its potential broader implications but reports no new empirical results.

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

The document from 2010 reviews the role of prolactin (PRL) in skin and hair follicle biology, highlighting its production in human skin and its potential implications for skin health and disease. PRL is traditionally associated with the anterior pituitary gland but is also produced in the skin, which acts as a peripheral endocrine organ. The review indicates that PRL has gender- and site-specific effects on hair growth and may delay hair regrowth in mice. It also suggests that PRL affects keratin expression and epithelial stem cell biology, with potential therapeutic applications for skin diseases and hair disorders. PRLR antagonists and knockout mice have been used to study PRL's functions, and the findings suggest that PRL could be a novel regulator in skin biology. However, more research is needed to fully understand its role, including studies with larger subject cohorts and an exploration of the effects of psychoemotional stress on PRL production.

View this study on cell.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

15 / 15 results

Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone and Estrogen Differentially Regulate Prolactin and Prolactin Receptor Expression in Female Human Skin and Hair Follicles In Vitro

research Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone and Estrogen Differentially Regulate Prolactin and Prolactin Receptor Expression in Female Human Skin and Hair Follicles In Vitro

37 citations , March 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Oestrogen and thyrotropin-releasing hormone affect prolactin and its receptor in human skin and hair, suggesting new treatment options for related conditions.

research Prolactin: A Novel Neuroendocrine Regulator of Human Keratin Expression In Situ

64 citations , January 2010 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that prolactin is a key regulator of keratin expression in human hair follicles, enhancing specific keratin types and influencing epithelial stem cell-associated keratins.

research Mind the Gender Gap: Does Prolactin Exert Gender and Site-Specific Effects on the Human Hair Follicle?

36 citations , November 2009 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study suggests that prolactin has complex, gender- and location-dependent effects on human hair follicles, promoting hair growth in female frontotemporal scalp areas while inhibiting it in male occipital regions.

research Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone: A New Player in Human Hair Growth Control

72 citations , October 2009 in “The FASEB journal”

This study found that thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) acts as a potent stimulator of hair growth in human scalp hair follicles, promoting elongation and prolonging the anagen phase.

research Neuroendocrine Perspectives in Alopecia Areata: Does Stress Play a Role?

69 citations , May 2009 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This research highlights that psychological stress can adversely affect hair growth in mice, implicating potential pathways that may be relevant in understanding stress-induced hair growth inhibition in humans.

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

98 citations , December 2008 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

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.

research Prolactin Delays Hair Regrowth in Mice

53 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of Endocrinology”

This study found that prolactin plays a direct role in regulating the timing of hair growth cycles in mice by affecting the skin, rather than through other endocrine factors.

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

128 citations , March 2006 in “American Journal of Pathology”

The study found that prolactin expressed in human scalp hair follicles acts as an autocrine modulator, inhibiting hair growth and promoting hair follicle regression, which may contribute to hair loss in hyper-prolactinemia patients.

research Neuroimmunoendocrine Circuitry of the Brain-Skin Connection

293 citations , November 2005 in “Trends in Immunology”

This study indicates that stress in mice recruits specific neuroimmunoendocrine elements, leading to neurogenic skin inflammation that inhibits hair growth and highlights the skin's role in stress response research.

research Human Hair Follicles Display a Functional Equivalent of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis and Synthesize Cortisol

489 citations , June 2005 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that human scalp hair follicles can respond to corticotropin releasing hormone stimulation similarly to the classical HPA axis, including up-regulating cortisol production and activating neuroendocrine feedback loops.

research Acne and Sebaceous Gland Function

463 citations , September 2004 in “Clinics in dermatology”

This review discusses the development, function, and complex roles of sebaceous glands in acne and suggests future acne treatments should target inflammation and lipid production; it reports no new clinical results.

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”

This study found that prolactin and its receptor are expressed in the murine hair follicle epithelium, influencing hair cycle phases by down-regulating keratinocyte proliferation during anagen and inducing premature catagen.

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

14 citations , June 2001 in “Endocrinology”

This study found that disrupting the PRL gene in mice alters the timing of hair cycling events, causing earlier molts and changes in hair characteristics, particularly affecting female mice more significantly.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations , August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the biologic and psychosocial significance of hair, the current limitations in hair growth drugs, and anticipates future therapies based on advancing hair follicle research.

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

41 citations , September 1991 in “Medical hypotheses”

This article reviews the potential role of prolactin as a neuroendocrine modulator in skin biology and pathology, discussing its relevance for conditions such as psoriasis and hair growth, but reports no new clinical findings.