Prolactin Regulates Pain Responses via a Female-Selective Nociceptor-Specific Mechanism.

ABSTRACT: Many clinical and preclinical studies report an increased prevalence and severity of chronic pain among females. Here, we identify a sex-hormone-controlled target and mechanism that regulates dimorphic pain responses. Prolactin (PRL), which is involved in many physiologic functions, induces female-specific hyperalgesia. A PRL receptor (Prlr) antagonist in the hind paw or spinal cord substantially reduced hyperalgesia in inflammatory models. This effect was mimicked by sensory neuronal ablation of Prlr. Although Prlr mRNA is expressed equally in female and male peptidergic nociceptors and central terminals, Prlr protein was found only in females and PRL-induced excitability was detected only in female DRG neurons. PRL-induced excitability was reproduced in male Prlr⁺ neurons afte

SUBMITTER: Patil M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6818331 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature