Costa-Brito Ana R, Gonçalves Isabel, Santos Cecília R A
CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre; C4-UBI -Cloud Computing Competence Centre, Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal.
Neural Regen Res. 2022 Aug;17(8):1695-1702. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.332124.
Prolactin is a polypeptide hormone associated with an extensive variety of biological functions. Among the roles of prolactin in vertebrates, some were preserved throughout evolution. This is the case of its function in the brain, where prolactin receptors, are expressed in different structures of the central nervous system. In the brain, prolactin actions are principally associated with reproduction and parental behavior, and involves the modulation of adult neurogenesis, neuroprotection, and neuroplasticity, especially during pregnancy, thereby preparing the brain to parenthood. Prolactin is mainly produced by specialized cells in the anterior pituitary gland. However, during vertebrate evolution many other extrapituitary tissues do also produce prolactin, like the immune system, endothelial cells, reproductive structures and in several regions of the brain. This review summarizes the relevance of prolactin for brain function, the sources of prolactin in the central nervous system, as well as its local production and secretion. A highlight on the impact of prolactin in human neurological diseases is also provided.
催乳素是一种与多种生物学功能相关的多肽激素。在催乳素对脊椎动物的作用中，有些作用在整个进化过程中得以保留。其在大脑中的功能便是如此，催乳素受体在中枢神经系统的不同结构中表达。在大脑中，催乳素的作用主要与生殖和育儿行为相关，涉及对成体神经发生、神经保护和神经可塑性的调节，尤其是在孕期，从而使大脑为育儿做好准备。催乳素主要由垂体前叶的特化细胞产生。然而，在脊椎动物进化过程中，许多其他垂体外组织也能产生催乳素，如免疫系统、内皮细胞、生殖结构以及大脑的几个区域。本综述总结了催乳素对脑功能的相关性、中枢神经系统中催乳素的来源及其局部产生和分泌情况。还重点介绍了催乳素对人类神经疾病的影响。
