Prolactin and blood vessels: A comparative endocrinology perspective
- 作者：Carmen Clapp ; clapp@unam.mx ; Lucí ; a Martí ; nez de la Escalera ; Gonzalo Martí ; nez de la Escalera
- 关键词：Angiogenesis ; Vasoinhibins ; 16-kDa prolactin ; Development ; Metamorphosis ; Reproduction
- 刊名：General and Comparative Endocrinology
- 出版年：2012
- 期刊代码：169_00166480
- 类别：bio
- 出版时间：1 May, 2012
- 卷：176
- 期：3
- 页码：336-340
- 文件大小：274 K
摘要
The hormone prolactin (PRL), fundamental for lactation in mammals, is known to exert a wide diversity of actions in the various vertebrate groups. Blood vessels are surfacing as important PRL targets, contributing to these hormonal functions. PRL promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and is proteolytically cleaved to vasoinhibins, a family of peptides (including 16-kDa PRL) with potent antiangiogenic and blood vessel regression effects. These opposing actions point to the regulation of the proteases responsible for PRL cleavage as an efficient way to balance blood vessel growth and involution. This review briefly summarizes the effects of PRL and vasoinhibins on blood vessels in mammals and discusses whether similar vascular actions could contribute to the effects of PRL on the development, growth, and reproduction of lower vertebrates. A comparative study in diverse species may lead to a better understanding of blood vessels as a driving force for the biological actions of PRL.