Prolactin induces chitotriosidase expression in human macrophages through PTK, PI3-K, and MAPK pathways.

We previously reported that prolactin (PRL) induces chitotriosidase (CHIT-1) mRNA expression in human macrophages. In this investigation we determined the signaling pathways involved in CHIT-1 induction in response to PRL. The CHIT-1 induction PRL-mediated was reduced by wortmannin and LY-294002, inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) and by genistein an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). Pre-treatment of macrophages with SB203580, a specific inhibitor of the mitogen-activated kinases (MAPK) p38, or with U0126, an inhibitor of MAPK p44/42, prevented both basal and exogenous PRL-mediated CHIT-1 expression. No significant effects on CHIT-1 induction PRL-mediated were observed with a protein kinase C inhibitor (PKC), rottlerin, or with an Src inhibitor, PP2, or with JAK2 inhibitor, AG490. In addition, PRL induced a phosphorylation of AKT that was prevented both by the two MAPK inhibitors SB203580 and U0126 and by the PI3-K inhibitors wortmannin and LY-294002. In conclusion, our results indicate that PRL up-regulated CHIT-1 expression via PTK, PI3-K, MAPK, and signaling transduction components. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.