{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.02031176192725555, 'fraction_numerical': 0.003778932451582428, 'mean_word_length': 5.192982456140351, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Overview: prolactin and autoimmunity

This is the second Special Issue of Lupus that has been dedicated to interactions between the peptide hormone, prolactin, and the autoimmune illness, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 1998, editors Graham RV Hughes, MD and Munther Khamashta, MD, arranged for the first Special Issue — Prolactin in SLE. Sara E Walker, MD and Luis Jara, MD were Guest Editors. This pioneering issue dealt primarily with clinical aspects of the effects of prolactin on SLE and featured nine original research papers – 9 presented at the Mini-symposium on Prolactin and SLE at the 5th International Conference on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Cancun, Mexico. The current special issue of Lupus, Prolactin and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Mechanisms and Clinical Studies, reflects a continuing interest in prolactin — immune system interactions and should be of great interest to clinical immunologists, rheumatologists and endocrinologists. Li-yuan Yu-Lee, PhD, joins Dr Walker as Guest Editor. This Special Issue contains 14 reviews. We have been fortunate to have contributions from investigators who are experts on production of prolactin and suppression of pituitary prolactin and polymorphisms of the human prolactin gene. The importance of prolactin as a lymphocyte growth factor and the effects of prolactin on immune cells and hematopoietic cells, as well as effects on signal transduction and gene expression, are examined Finally, clinicians present new research findings that are relevant to the role of prolactin as a putative stimulatory factor in SLE. This Special Issue therefore affords an opportunity to present a full spectrum of basic and clinical research findings that are relevant to mechanisms whereby hormonal modulation can modify the course of SLE. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the authors of the papers in this issue. They have worked tirelessly to prepare state-of-the art reports on their unique contributions to the field. We also are grateful for the encouragement and unflagging support that we have received from Drs Hughes and Khamashta.