Characterization of the Synthesis and Release of Prolactin by an Enriched Fraction of Human Decidual Cells*

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Abstract
An enriched fraction of human decidual cells that synthesizes and releases human PRL (hPRL) was obtained by isopycnic centrifugation of collagenase- and hyaluronidasedispersed cells through Percoll. The cells that synthesized and released hPRL banded at a density of 1.017–1.045 g/ml, an area of the gradient comprising only a small percentage of the total decidual DNA. The enriched cells formed distinct colonies in culture and contained hPRL, as evidenced by indirect immunofluorescent staining with anti-PRL serum. Plated at a density of 5.0 × 105 cells/well, the cells produced hPRL at a mean rate of 8.1 ± 1.1 ng/μg DNA·24 h (mean ± SD) for 8 days. Like decidual explants, the enriched cells responded to phospholipase A2 (0.1 U/ml) with a 54% decrease in hPRL release and to placental conditioned medium (0.5 mg protein/ml medium) with a 62% increase. Insulin (8,3 × 10−7M), progesterone (10−5−10−12 M), and estradiol (10−5−10−12 M) did not affect hPRL release over 6 days. These results indicate that enriched PRL-releasing cells, obtained by the isopycnic centrifugation of collagenase- and hyaluronidase-dispersed cells, are a useful model for the study of the synthesis and release of PRL. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab56: 962, 1983)