The role of the ovarian cycle and the effects of mitogen-induced cytokines on human prolactin gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Background: little is known on the influences of normal menstrual cycle on prolactin gene expression in immune cells. Aim of the study: to determine the effects of the ovarian cycle on prolactin and its receptor expression. Methods: peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained from twenty-six normal menstruating women at different intervals of their menstrual cycle. The PBMC were incubated during 24 h in the presence or absence of Concanavalin-A (Con-A) and the gene expression of PRL, PRLR and cytokines was evaluated by qPCR. Prolactin, IL-2 and cAMP were determined in each culture by specific immunoassays. Results: neither PRL nor its receptor expression in PBMC changed significantly among groups, including the cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, and IFNG) studied. Similar results, among groups, were obtained, when PRL expression was stimulated by PGE2 or 8-Br-cAMP. Concanavalin A-stimulated PBMC expressed significantly less prolactin and a significant negative correlation between secreted IL-2 and PRL expression was found. The presence of anti-IL-2 antibodies in Con-A stimulated-cultures significantly increased PRL expression when compared to control cells regardless the hormonal status. Conclusions: these data suggest that the menstrual cycle does not significantly modulate or influence prolactin and cytokines gene expression in PBMC, and indicate that IL-2 may be involved in the Con-A regulation of PRL expression in immune cells.