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Effect of elevated serum prolactin concentrations on the immunophenotype of human lymphocytes, mitogen‐induced proliferation and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear cells

It has been suggested that the immune system is an important target tissue of prolactin (PRL). We therefore investigated several immune parameters in nine patients with chronically elevated serum prolactin concentrations. The immunophenotype of lymphocytes, mitogen‐induced lymphocyte proliferation and phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear cells were determined under high serum prolactin levels and 2 weeks after treatment with dopamine agonists. An increased CD4/CD8 ratio in the hyperprolactinaemic patients could be detected compared with healthy control subjects, which remained high after treatment and did not seem to correlate with serum prolactin concentrations. Peripheral blood B lymphocytes showed an increased expression of CD69 in the treated group but not in untreated patients compared with healthy control subjects. Interleukin 2 receptor, CD45RO, transferrin receptor or HLA‐DR expression of CD4 or CD8 cells, as well as oxidative burst and phagocytic activity of granulocytes, were not affected in the patients with prolactinomas. Lymphocyte transformation response to phytohaemagglutinin in vitro was found not to be influenced by elevated prolactin levels except at the highest mitogen concentration tested. These data together with previous reports suggest that, although PRL is required for lymphocyte maturation to achieve normal immune function, elevated PRL levels do not lead to an ‘overstimulation’ of the immune system in men.