Prolactin Increases the Frequency of Follicular T Helper Cells with Enhanced IL21 Secretion and OX40 Expression in Lupus-Prone MRL/lpr Mice

<div>Working model of the mechanism of action of PRL in T<sub>FH</sub> cells from mice that developed SLE. T<sub>FH</sub> cells from lupus-prone mice display increased levels of PRL receptor expression restrictive to the long isoform, together with higher levels of serum PRL. This combination results in the heightened activation of STAT3, as well as the increase in OX40 expression and IL21 secretion, which increase the activation of T<sub>FH</sub> cells favoring the formation of germinal centers, generation of autoreactive plasma cells and increased levels of autoantibodies, with enhanced tissue damage due to the immune complex deposition that characterizes SLE.</div>

Journal of Immunology Research

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Figure 6

Figure 6: Prolactin Increases the Frequency of Follicular T Helper Cells with Enhanced IL21 Secretion and OX40 Expression in Lupus-Prone MRL/lpr Mice 

Figure 6 | Prolactin Increases the Frequency of Follicular T Helper Cells with Enhanced IL21 Secretion and OX40 Expression in Lupus-Prone MRL/lpr Mice 