Lack of prolactin receptor signaling in mice results in lactotroph proliferation and prolactinomas by dopamine-dependent and -independent mechanisms

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Abstract
Hypothalamic dopamine inhibits pituitary prolactin secretion and proliferation of prolactin-producing lactotroph cells by activating lactotroph dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs). Conversely, prolactin (PRL) stimulates hypothalamic dopamine neurons via PRL receptors (PRLRs) in a short-loop feedback circuit. We used Drd2–/– and Prlr–/– mutant mice to bypass this feedback and investigate possible dopamine-independent effects of PRL on lactotroph function. The absence of either receptor induced hyperprolactinemia and large prolactinomas in females. Small macroadenomas developed in aged Prlr–/– males, but only microscopic adenomas were found in Drd2–/– male mice. Pharmacologic studies in Prlr–/– mice with D2R agonists and antagonists demonstrated a significant loss of endogenous dopamine tone, i.e., constitutive inhibitory signaling by the D2R, in the pituitary. However, Prlr–/– mice exhibited more profound hyperprolactinemia and larger tumors than did age-matched Drd2–/– mice, and there were additive effects in compound homozygous mutant male mice. In vitro, PRL treatment markedly inhibited the proliferation of wild-type female and male Drd2–/– lactotrophs, but had no effect on female Drd2–/– lactotrophs, suggesting a downregulation or desensitization of PRLR in response to chronic hyperprolactinemia. We conclude that PRL inhibits lactotrophs by two distinct mechanisms: (a) indirectly by activation of hypothalamic dopamine neurons and (b) directly within the pituitary in a dopamine-independent fashion.