Prolactin drives cortical neuron maturation and dendritic development during murine embryonic stem cell differentiation.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Prolactin (PRL) is a pleiotropic hormone implicated in various physiological processes; however, its contribution to neurodevelopment, particularly early corticogenesis, remains insufficiently characterized. In this study, we investigate PRL's regulatory influence on the initial stages of cortical development, with an emphasis on its effects on neuronal and astrocytic differentiation.

Methods

We employed a standardized in vitro differentiation protocol to generate cortical neurons from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Prolactin receptor (PRLr) expression was evaluated in pluripotent stem cells, neural stem cells (NSCs), immature neurons, and mature neurons using both PCR and immunofluorescence. These analyses revealed dynamic changes in PRLr expression throug

SUBMITTER: Martinez-Alarcon O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11897521 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature