Prolactin stimulates proliferation of cultured human keratinocytes

Giampiero Girolomoni, J. Theodore Phillips, Paul R. Bergstresser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)275-279
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology
Volume101
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1993

Keywords

  • epidermis/pituitary hormones/serum-free culture/receptors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Dermatology
  • Cell Biology

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