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Exploring the role of prolactin in psoriasis

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Abstract

Prolactin (PRL) is well recognised for its role(s) in mammary gland development and function. Moreover, its role in skin biology, including the potent regulation of human hair growth, is becoming clearer. Less widely appreciated, however, is the potential role of PRL in the pathobiology of psoriasis. While the relationship between PRL and psoriasis remains enigmatic, several recent publications on the PRL–psoriasis connection have demonstrated a reawakening of interest in this conundrum. We take the occasion of these reports to underscore the importance of dissecting the role(s) of PRL in the aetiopathology of psoriasis, not least since this may help to identify novel hormonal treatment strategies in its management.

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Acknowledgments

Ewan A Langan is supported by a Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellowship.

Conflict of interest

Christopher EM Griffiths is a paid advisor and/or in receipt of honoraria from Abbott, Almirall, Biogen-IDEC, Eli Lilly, Incyte, Janssen, Leo Pharma and Pfizer all of whom are manufacturers of psoriasis therapies. Other authors have no conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, School of Translational Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK

    Ewan A. Langan, Christopher E. M. Griffiths & Ralf Paus

  2. Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23538, Lübeck, Germany

    Ewan A. Langan & Ralf Paus

Authors
  1. Ewan A. Langan
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  2. Christopher E. M. Griffiths
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  3. Ralf Paus
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Correspondence to Ewan A. Langan.

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Langan, E.A., Griffiths, C.E.M. & Paus, R. Exploring the role of prolactin in psoriasis. Arch Dermatol Res 304, 115–118 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-012-1208-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-012-1208-6

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