Macroprolactinaemia: epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical relevance
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Macroprolactinaemia: a study of its prevalence, pathophysiology and clinical relevance
IRAS ID
191136
Contact name
Joannis Vamvakopoulos
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland; though it is best known for its role in breast development and milk production, it also has numerous other less well known functions. Macroprolactin (macroPRL) is a biologically inactive complex of PRL with autoantibodies. It is found in both healthy and unwell individuals and occasionally complicates the investigation of abnormally high PRL levels. It is thought that macroPRL forms because of an aberrant immune response and studies have shown that it is more common with advancing age. Other risk factors for macroPRL formation, or whether this has any other clinical significance, remain unknown.
The human prolactin gene (PRL) sequence varies between individuals and creates multiple different versions of PRL; whether these versions have similar functions remains unknown. We postulate that this genetic variation may create versions of PRL that are more readily recognized by the immune system, resulting in an anti-PRL autoantibody response and the development of macroprolactinaemia. There is also a possibility that some versions of immune system molecules (“tissue types”) may more readily recognize PRL, which may suggest a link between macroprolactin and other, possibly undiagnosed, autoimmune disorders.
This study will, for the first time, look at how common macroPRL is in the UK, as well as whether this is influenced by age, sex or ethnicity. It will also assess whether different forms of the PRL gene translate into versions of PRL that are functionally different or more readily recognised by the immune system (in the context of tissue type). Participants with and without macroprolactin will be recruited with consent through collaborating NHS centres; will be asked specific questions about their medical and family history; and will each provide blood samples on a single occasion. This study is being funded by the Society for Endocrinology.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0053
Date of REC Opinion
4 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Unfavourable Opinion