Prolactin Stimulates Proliferation of Cultured Human Keratinocytes

• Published in: Journal of investigative dermatology Vol. 101; no. 3; pp. 275 - 279
• Main Authors: Girolomoni, Giampiero, Phillips, J Theodore, Bergstresser, Paul R
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Danvers, MA Elsevier Inc 01.09.1993; Nature Publishing
• Subjects: Binding Sites; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Count; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell physiology; Cells, Cultured; Culture Media, Serum-Free; epidermis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Keratinocytes - cytology; Male; Molecular and cellular biology; pituitary hormones; Prolactin - pharmacology; receptors; Receptors, Prolactin - metabolism; Responses to growth factors, tumor promotors, other factors; serum-free Culture; Thymidine - metabolism; Tritium; serum-free Culture; receptors; pituitary hormones; epidermis; Human; Culture medium; Cell proliferation; Cell culture; Protein hormone; Newborn; Adenohypophyseal hormone; Prolactin; Keratinocyte; Stimulation; Skin; Experimental study
• ISSN: 0022-202X; 1523-1747
• DOI: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12365203

The effect of the pituitary hormone prolactin on in vitro proliferation of human keratinocytes has been studied. Cell proliferation was determined by [3H] thymidine incorporation and cell enumeration in culture. Physiologic concentrations of prolactin markedly stimulated proliferation of newborn foreskin keratinocytes in serum-free medium. In addition, it was able to replace almost completely the growth-promoting effects of bovine pituitary extract, a commonly added supplement for keratinocyte culture. This activity was also evident in the absence of epidermal growth factor, but required the presence of insulin. Radioligand- binding studies confirmed the expression of specific prolactin binding sites (Kd 8.9 nM; 1350 sites per cell) on freshly procured keratinocyte membranes. These results extend its hormonal influences to include regulation of in vitro proliferation of human keratinocytes, and suggest the possibility of a completely defined growth medium for keratinocytes.