Prolactin: A Mammalian Stress Hormone and Its Role in Cutaneous Pathophysiology

June 2024 in “ International Journal of Molecular Sciences ”

Ewan A. Langan

prolactin PRL hair growth cutaneous pathophysiology skin biology immunomodulator PRL-mediated signaling

TLDR Prolactin affects skin health and may lead to new treatments for skin and hair issues.

The hormone prolactin (PRL) is primarily known for regulating lactation but also plays a significant role in skin biology and is involved in the pathogenesis of various skin diseases, often linked to psychological stress. PRL is implicated in over 300 biological processes, including hair growth, and its relationship with the skin is not fully understood. Historical observations linked PRL to skin conditions, and recent studies suggest it may act as an immunomodulator for COVID-19. Understanding PRL's role in skin disease could lead to new treatments for skin diseases and hair disorders by targeting PRL-mediated signaling.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

26 / 26 results

Alopecia in Preexisting Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Family Medicine Practice: Can Hyperprolactinemia Induce Hair Loss? A Case Report

research Alopecia in Preexisting Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Family Medicine Practice: Can Hyperprolactinemia Induce Hair Loss? A Case Report

1 citations , January 2021 in “Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica et Adriatica (Tiskana izd.)”

High prolactin levels might be linked to hair loss in autoimmune thyroid disease, but more research is needed.

research Parkinson's Disease and Skin Disorders: Non-Iatrogenic and Iatrogenic Connections

28 citations , January 2021 in “Parkinsonism & related disorders (Online)/Parkinsonism & related disorders”

Parkinson's disease is linked to skin disorders and skin cells help in studying the disease.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss and Androgen Excess: A Report From the Multidisciplinary Androgen Excess and PCOS Committee

49 citations , February 2019 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Use "female pattern hair loss" term, assess androgen excess, treat with minoxidil and other medications if needed.

research JAK Inhibitors and Alopecia Areata

56 citations , January 2019 in “Lancet”

JAK inhibitors help regrow hair in alopecia areata patients, improving their quality of life.

research Prolactin as a Candidate Sebotropic Hormone?

26 citations , March 2018 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Prolactin may influence skin glands and could be a target for treating acne and skin aging.

research Sex Hormones and Acne: The Role of the Skin as an Endocrine Organ

76 citations , October 2016 in “Clinics in dermatology”

Sex hormones, especially androgens, play a key role in causing acne.

Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, Interferon Gamma, and Substance P Are Novel Modulators of Extrapituitary Prolactin Expression in Human Skin

research Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, Interferon Gamma, and Substance P Are Novel Modulators of Extrapituitary Prolactin Expression in Human Skin

24 citations , April 2013 in “PLOS ONE”

TNFα, IFNγ, and Substance P significantly affect prolactin levels in human skin, suggesting new treatments for skin and hair conditions.

research Utilizing the Hair Follicle to Dissect the Regulation and Autocrine/Paracrine Activities of Prolactin in Humans

12 citations , May 2012 in “Endocrinology and metabolism/American journal of physiology: endocrinology and metabolism”

Human scalp hair follicles can be used to study how prolactin affects hair growth and cell death.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Hair Loss and Hyperprolactinemia in Women

19 citations , January 2012 in “Dermato-endocrinology”

Moderately high prolactin levels do not cause hair loss in women.

research Prolactin: An Emerging Force Along the Cutaneous–Endocrine Axis

51 citations , July 2010 in “Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Prolactin may play a significant role in skin and hair health and could be a target for treating skin and hair disorders.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

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”

Prolactin affects the production of different keratins in human hair, which could lead to new treatments for skin and hair disorders.

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”

Prolactin may affect hair growth differently based on gender and scalp area.

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

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

Stress might contribute to hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Seasonality of Hair Shedding in Healthy Women Complaining of Hair Loss

37 citations , January 2009 in “Dermatology”

Healthy women tend to lose more hair in July and April, and the least in February.

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

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

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

research Prolactin Delays Hair Regrowth in Mice

53 citations , November 2006 in “Journal of Endocrinology”

Prolactin slows down hair growth in mice.

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”

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

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”

Human hair follicles can produce cortisol like the body's stress response system.

Effect of Constant-Release Melatonin Implants and Prolonged Exposure to a Long Day Photoperiod on Prolactin Secretion and Hair Growth in Mouflon (Ovis Gmelini Musimon)

research Effect of Constant-Release Melatonin Implants and Prolonged Exposure to a Long Day Photoperiod on Prolactin Secretion and Hair Growth in Mouflon (Ovis Gmelini Musimon)

51 citations , January 2004 in “Domestic animal endocrinology”

Melatonin implants and long daylight hours alter the timing of hormone release and hair growth in mouflon sheep.

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 Acne

81 citations , January 2002 in “American journal of clinical dermatology”

Hormonal treatments can help with acne, especially in women, by lowering androgen levels or blocking their effects.

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 Does Prolactin Play a Role in Skin Biology and Pathology?

41 citations , September 1991 in “Medical hypotheses”

Prolactin may be important for skin growth and immune function.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Neuroendocrinology of the Hair Follicle: Principles and Clinical Perspectives

98 citations , July 2014 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine”

Hair follicles are hormone-sensitive and involved in growth and other functions, with potential for new treatments, but more research is needed.

research Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha, Interferon Gamma, and Substance P Are Novel Modulators of Extrapituitary Prolactin Expression in Human Skin

24 citations , April 2013 in “PLOS ONE”

TNFα, IFNγ, and Substance P significantly affect prolactin levels in human skin, suggesting new treatments for skin and hair conditions.

research Frontiers in the Neuroendocrine Controls of Hair Growth

22 citations , November 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

Hair growth and health are influenced by stress and hormones.

research Pathophysiology of Behçet's Disease

34 citations , October 2011 in “Pathology Research International”

Behçet's Disease may be caused by genetic and environmental factors leading to abnormal immune responses, and stress management and new treatments could improve patient outcomes.

research Pathogenesis and Causes of Hirsutism

1 citations , January 2006

Hirsutism is mainly caused by high androgen levels or sensitivity, with PCOS being the most common cause.