Prolactin gene expression in primary central nervous system tumors

Abstract

BackgroundProlactin (PRL) is a hormone synthesized in both the pituitary gland and extrapituitary sites. It has been associated with the occurrence of neoplasms and, more recently, with central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms. The aim of this study was to evaluate prolactin expression in primary central nervous system tumors through quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IH).ResultsPatient mean age was 49.1 years (SD 15.43), and females accounted for 70% of the sample. The most frequent subtype of histological tumor was meningioma (61.5%), followed by glioblastoma (22.9%). Twenty cases (28.6%) showed prolactin expression by immunohistochemistry, most of them females (18 cases, 90%). Quantitative real-time PCR did not show any prolactin expression.ConclusionsDespite the presence of prolactin expression by IH, the lack of its expression by quantitative real-time PCR indicates that its presence in primary tumors in CNS is not a reflex of local production.

Prolactin and its receptor as therapeutic targets in glioblastoma multiforme

“…Studies evaluating the expression of PRL and PRLR in human GBM have generally analysed a small number of samples. However, the expression of these proteins has been consistently detected by immunofluorescence in 19% 36 , 25% 10 and 47% 11 of GBM biopsies. These figures are in agreement with the transcriptomic data that we analysed, which indicated that 30% of 150 GBM patients express PRL mRNA.…”

“…It has been proposed that the detection of PRL by immunohistochemistry in GBM specimens but not by real-time PCR indicates that the presence of PRL in primary tumours may not be a reflection of local production, but rather of circulating PRL that access the tumour 10 . However, the detection of PRL mRNA by GBM samples sequencing suggests that local production of PRL accounts, at least in part, for the presence of this hormone in GBM.…”

“…Since they encompass different signalling pathways, the relative expression of these receptors in normal and pathological tissues may explain, in part, the versatility of PRL actions reported in several tissues, such as the healthy and neoplastic mammary gland 3 . Although many reports have indicated that PRL and PRLR are present in GBM 10–13 , the role of the PRL/PRLR system in the pathogenesis of GBM remains poorly understood. The expression of PRL and PRLR has been detected in GBM biopsies by immunocytochemistry 10–13 .…”

“…Although many reports have indicated that PRL and PRLR are present in GBM 10–13 , the role of the PRL/PRLR system in the pathogenesis of GBM remains poorly understood. The expression of PRL and PRLR has been detected in GBM biopsies by immunocytochemistry 10–13 . Furthermore, high levels of circulating PRL have been reported in ~30% of GBM patients in a relatively small clinical study 11 .…”

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) deletion protects against multiple low dose streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes in adult male mice

“…GBM cells have been reported to produce PRL locally [199], and this would be in congruence with the finding of extra-pituitary PRL production in primates. In the literature, one study reported detection of PRL mRNA in human central nervous tissues [273], whereas another study showed PRL expression in GBM which was detectable by IHC, but not with real-time PCR [274]. It is possible that GBM represents a state of either increased PRL production, or increased PRL sensitivity.…”