Prolactin Drives Iron Release from Macrophages and Uptake in Mammary Cancer Cells through CD44.

ABSTRACT: Iron is an essential element for human health. In humans, dysregulated iron homeostasis can result in a variety of disorders and the development of cancers. Enhanced uptake, redistribution, and retention of iron in cancer cells have been suggested as an "iron addiction" pattern in cancer cells. This increased iron in cancer cells positively correlates with rapid tumor growth and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which forms the basis for tumor metastasis. However, the source of iron and the mechanisms cancer cells adopt to actively acquire iron is not well understood. In the present study, we report, for the first time, that the peptide hormone, prolactin, exhibits a novel function in regulating iron distribution, on top of its well-known pro-lactating role. When stimulated by prol

SUBMITTER: Farrell R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11354873 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature