转录因子E2F-1与垂体肿瘤转化基因（PTTG）在大鼠PRL瘤中的表达

目的通过检测垂体肿瘤转化基因（PTTG）与腺病毒E2启动子结合因子1（E2F-1）在大鼠催乳素（PRL）瘤中的表达来探讨两者在PRL瘤发生发展过程中的作用。方法 40只大鼠随机分为两组：实验组（E组,n=20）：皮下植入17β-雌二醇的方法诱发大鼠PRL瘤;对照组（C组,n=20）：皮下植入空白硅胶管。雌激素诱导10周后处死大鼠,心脏穿刺取血,4%多聚甲醛体内灌流取出脑垂体,称重,ELISA方法检测两组大鼠血清PRL水平,垂体组织行病理组织学观察,免疫组化SP方法检测两组大鼠垂体组织中PTTG蛋白质、E2F-1蛋白质的表达。结果雌二醇作用10周后,据垂体重量、垂体组织学变化和血清PRL水平证实PRL瘤诱导成功。PRL瘤组中,PTTG蛋白质、E2F-1蛋白质均明显高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.01）;且PTTG蛋白质和E2F-1蛋白质的表达呈明显正相关（γ=0.764,P〈0.01）。结论 PTTG与E2F-1在大鼠PRL瘤中共同过度表达,参与了大鼠PRL瘤的发生发展。     

MLT抑制E2诱发的大鼠垂体PRL瘤的增生涉及雌激素受体的作用

目的：探讨褪黑素（melatonin,MLT）抑制17-β-雌二醇（17-β-estradiol,E2）诱发垂体催乳素（prolactin,PRL）瘤的增生及其机制的初始阶段,MLT对雌激素受体的作用。方法：在体实验采用每日定时给各组SD大鼠分别皮下注射不同浓度的MLT,建立MLT抑制E2诱发的垂体PRL瘤增生的动物模型。离体实验采用原代培养细胞原位杂交方法,探讨垂体PRL瘤细胞MLT受体的表达、MLT对雌激素受体（ER）表达的作用;应用电泳迁移率改变（EMSA）的方法,观察MLT对雌激素受体（ER）与雌激素反应元件（ERE）结合的效应。结果：每只大鼠每日定时皮下注射0．25或0．50mg MLT能显著抑制E2诱发的垂体PRL瘤的增生（分别P〈0．01、P〈0．05）;F4诱发的垂体PRL瘤细胞内有MLT受体MLT1a和MLT1b;给0．25mg／day／rat MLT组的大鼠垂体PRL瘤细胞内ER的表达显著减少（P〈0．01）、ER与ERE的结合量显著降低（P〈0．01）。结论：一定剂量的MLT能显著抑制E2诱发的SD大鼠垂体PRL瘤的增生,其作用机制之一可能与MLT抑制ER的表达、及其部分阻断ER与ERE的结合有关。     

雌激素和多巴胺对大鼠垂体组织中雌激素受体基因表达的影响

目的研究雌激素和多巴胺激动剂对雌激素受体在大鼠垂体组织表达的作用。方法20只成年雌性Wistar大鼠,切除卵巢后,随机分2组：（1）对照组（n=5）,皮下植入空白硅胶管;（2）雌激素组（n=15）皮下植入含有乙烯雌酚的硅胶管,8周后,两组各处死5只大鼠,雌激素组剩余大鼠（n=10）取出硅胶管,随机再分2组,安慰剂组（n=5）给予自来水灌胃,多巴胺组（n=5）给予溴隐亭（多巴胺激动剂）灌胃,用药4周后处死动物。放免法测定血清PRL水平,用反转录一聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）方法检测ERs在各组垂体组织中的表达,以β-actin作为内参照,借助于计算机凝胶成像系统分析表达量。结果ERa,ERβ以及TERP在各组大鼠垂体组织均有表达,其中ERα和TERPmRNA水平在雌激素组明显高于对照组（P〈0．001）,在安慰剂组和多巴胺组的表达无明显差别。结论大鼠垂体组织中存在ER的表达,雌激素对ERα和TERP的表达具有升调节作用,多巴胺不影响雌激素受体的表达。     

疏肝健脾法对产后缺乳大鼠催乳素及其受体表达的影响研究

目的:观察疏肝健脾法对产后缺乳肝郁脾虚证大鼠乳腺组织形态学与催乳素(prolactin,PRL)及其受体(prolactin receptor,PRLR)表达的影响。方法:采用甲磺酸溴隐亭溶液+慢性束缚法复制大鼠产后缺乳肝郁脾虚病证结合动物模型,随机分为模型组、空白对照组、西药对照组、中药低、中、高剂量组,每组8只,共6组。药物干预后,采用HE染色及免疫组化法比较不同干预方法对产后缺乳大鼠乳腺组织形态与催乳素及其受体表达的影响,匀浆乳腺组织,采用ELISA法检测乳腺组织催乳素(PRL)、血清催乳素(PRL)、胃泌素(GAS)、血清下丘脑一垂体一肾上腺轴(The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis,HPA轴)水平变化:促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)、促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)、皮质醇(COR)。结果:与模型组相比,西药对照组和中药低、中、高剂量组均可促进乳腺组织向泌乳活跃期发育,表现为腺泡腔充盈、腺泡上皮细胞数量增多、结缔组织和脂肪组织退化,同时增加乳腺组织中PRL(空白对照组(145.72±16.332)、中药中剂量组(127.39±10.854)西药对照组(80.79±18.112)、中药低剂量组(89.42±14.183)、中药高剂量组(88.02±12.064)模型组(54.32±7.128))(P0.05)及PRLR(空白对照组(139.76±14.199)、中药中剂量组(129.09±18.755)西药对照组(87.42±8.390)、中药低剂量组(81.54±11.090)、中药高剂量组(85.167±9.494)模型组(60.93±11.767))的表达(P0.05)。与模型组相比,疏肝健脾中药可降低过高的血清CRH、ACTH、COR水平,升高乳腺组织PRL、血清GAS及PRL水平(P0.05)。其中,中药中剂量组疗效优于其他用药各组(P0.05)。结论:疏肝健脾法促进产后缺乳大鼠的泌乳作用机制与增加PRL及其受体表达、调节胃肠功能、抑制HPA轴的亢进状态,从而促进乳腺组织形态向泌乳活跃期发育密切相关。     

雷洛昔酚对大鼠垂体的作用

目的 观察雷洛昔酚是否能诱发出催乳素瘤的动物模型以及对PRL水平的影响,以研究雷洛昔酚对大鼠垂体的作用.方法 雌性Wistar大鼠切除卵巢后,分别在皮下埋植含有雷洛昔酚、雌激素和空白硅胶管,术后8周处死大鼠,检测大鼠体重变化、垂体重量变化、血清催乳素(PRL)水平和垂体组织学变化.结果 雷洛昔酚组与阴性对照组大鼠体重无明显统计学差异,与雌激素组大鼠体重具有统计学差异(P＜0.05);雷洛昔酚组与阴性对照组大鼠垂体重相比无明显差异,与雌激素组大鼠垂体重相比具有统计学差异(P＜0.05);雌激素组大鼠血清PRL水平最高,阴性对照组血清PRL水平最低,雷洛昔酚组介于两者之间,分别与雌激素组、对照组相比较差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);雷洛昔酚组与对照组垂体病理为正常细胞形态,雌激素组垂体病理为PRL瘤表现.结论 雷洛昔酚对大鼠垂体有一定的影响,但不能诱发催乳素瘤.     

雌激素诱发大鼠原位与移植垂体催乳素瘤中催乳素基因与TGFα和TGFβ1基因的表达

利用本实验室建立的17β雌二醇(17βestradiol,E2)诱致SpragueDawley(SD)大鼠原位垂体和异体移植于肾囊的垂体同时形成催乳素(prolactin,PRL)瘤的动物模型,采用Northern印迹杂交方法,我们观察了E2长期作用(120d)后诱发的原位与移植垂体PRL瘤中PRL基因和两种转化生长因子(transforminggrowthfactor,TGF)TGFα和TGFβ1基因表达水平的改变。结果表明:在E2长期作用后,原位垂体与异体移植于肾囊,从而远离下丘脑的垂体均可形成垂体PRL瘤;原位与移植垂体PRL瘤中均表现PRL基因的高表达,但移植瘤中的PRL基因表达水平低于原位垂体瘤;此外,仅在原位垂体PRL瘤中发现上述两种转化生长因子呈较高水平的表达,移植垂体PRL瘤与正常垂体中均检测不到这两种转化生长因子的表达。上述结果提示,TGFα和TGFβ1可能涉及E2诱发的原位垂体PRL瘤形成;E2诱发原位与移植垂体形成PRL瘤的机制可能不尽相同     

运动干预对胰岛素抵抗大鼠骨骼肌IL-1β表达的影响

目的观察运动干预对高脂饲料诱导胰岛素抵抗（IR）大鼠白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）表达的影响,探讨运动减轻IR的可能机制。方法健康Wistar雄性大鼠分为基础饲料喂养组（normal chow group,NC）,高脂膳食喂养组（high-fat diet group,HF）。高脂膳食喂养Wistar雄性大鼠10周,构建IR动物模型。10周后,HF组再随机分为高脂喂养运动组和非运动组,游泳运动干预4周。游泳运动干预前后以正常血糖-高血浆胰岛素钳夹实验技术[hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp（HEC）technique]评估IR大鼠胰岛素敏感性,ELISA法测定大鼠血清IL-1β水平,RT-PCR法测定大鼠骨骼肌IL-1βmRNA表达。结果HF组大鼠葡萄糖输注率（glucose infusion rate,GIR）显著低于NC组（P〈0.05）,HF组血清IL-1β水平及骨骼肌组织IL-1βmRNA表达明显高于NC组（P〈0.05,P〈0.01）;运动组大鼠血清IL-1β水平及骨骼肌组织IL-1βmRNA表达明显低于非运动组（P〈0.05）,与NC组差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。结论运动改善IR大鼠胰岛素敏感性,可能与降低IR大鼠IL-1β的表达有关。     

感觉神经损伤性盐敏感性高血压大鼠心、肾AT1R的表达

目的对感觉神经损伤性盐敏感性高血压大鼠的心肌、肾脏组织中的血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体（AT1R）在mRNA和受体水平的表达进行检测,探讨AT1R与盐敏感性高血压的关系。方法用乳鼠皮下注射辣椒辣素法建立模型。哺乳期后,大鼠被随机分成4组：对照＋正常盐饮食组（CON-NS）;对照＋高盐饮食组（CON-HS）;辣椒辣素＋正常盐饮食组（CAP-NS）;辣椒辣素＋高盐饮食组（CAP-HS）。至7周龄（分组饲养后第4周）处死大鼠,免疫组织化学方法和反转录-聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR）分别检测大鼠心肌和肾脏AT1R蛋白,以及AT1 R mRNA的表达。结果①Wistar大鼠在给予不同程度的感觉神经损伤和饲料干预后,各组大鼠尾部收缩压均有明显增加,最终CAP-HS组的尾收缩压显著高于其他三组（P〈0.01）。②免疫组织化学结果显示,CAP-HS组组织有显著的AT1R蛋白表达（P〈0.01）;CON-HS组肾脏、心肌组织中AT1R蛋白表达高于CON-NS组（P〈0.05）。③RT-PCR检测基因表达,与对照组CON-NS相比,实验组CAP-HS的AT1R mRNA表达显著升高（P〈0.01）;CON-HS组肾脏、心肌组织中AT1 R mRNA表达有显著性（P〈0.05）。结论感觉神经损伤性盐敏感性高血压大鼠心、肾AT1R表达升高,AT1R表达水平的差异可能与盐敏感性高血压的形成有关。     

来氟米特联合依那西普对佐剂性关节炎大鼠免疫功能的影响

目的：研究来氟米特和依那西普联合使用对佐剂性关节炎（AA）大鼠的治疗作用及其可能的作用机制。方法：建立AA大鼠关节炎模型,分为正常对照组、模型组、来氟米特组、依那西普组、来氟米特联合依那西普配伍组;采用关节炎指数评分法评价大鼠关节炎症程度,半定量RT-PCR和放射免疫法检测滑膜组织及血清中IL-1β、TNF-α表达水平,免疫组化方法检测滑膜组织中MMP－3含量。结果：①相较于AA模型组,来氟米特组、依那西普组和配伍组中大鼠的AI评分均显著下降（P〈0．01）,其中以配伍组关节炎指数为最低（P〈0．05）。②模型组大鼠血清及滑膜组织的IL-1β和TNF-α水平明显高于正常对照组（P〈0．01）,用药后各组的IL-1β和TNF-α水平均有所下降,并以配伍组降低最为明显（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）;③模型组大鼠滑膜组织MMP-3表达阳性密度显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．01）,用药后备组的MMP-3阳性密度降低（P〈0．01）,其中配伍组下降程度明显高于来氟米特组和依那西普组（P〈0．01）。结论：来氟米特和依那西普联合使用可明显减轻AA大鼠的关节炎症,降低血清和滑膜组织中IL-1β和TNF-α平,减少滑膜中MMP-3的表达,疗效优于单独使用来氟米特或依那西普。     

雌激素诱发大鼠原位与移植垂体催乳素瘤中催乳素基因与TGFα和TGF …

利用本实验室建立的１７β－雌二醇诱致Ｓｐｒａｇｕｅ－Ｄａｗｌｅｙ（ＳＤ）大鼠原位垂体和异体移植于肾囊的垂体同时形成催乳素瘤的动物模型,采用Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｍ印迹杂交方法,我们观察了Ｅ２长期作用（１２０ｄ）后诱发的原位与移植垂体ＰＲＬ瘤中ＰＲＬ基因和两种转化生长因子ＴＧＦα和ＴＧＦβ１基因表达水平的改变。结果表明：在Ｅ２长期作用后,原位垂体与异体移植于肾囊,从而远离下丘脑的垂体均可形成垂体ＰＲＬ瘤;原位     

Inhibitory effect of thalidomide on the growth, secretory function and angiogenesis of estrogen-induced prolactinoma in Fischer 344 rats

The process of angiogenesis has been found to be essential for the development of estrogen-induced pituitary prolactinoma in Fischer 344 rats. Thalidomide [(alpha-(N-phthalimido)-glutarimide] is known to be a potent immunomodulatory drug with antiangiogenic properties, but its effect on lactotroph cell secretory function and pituitary prolactinoma formation has not been described yet. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thalidomide on secretion of prolactin (PRL) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cell proliferation, apoptosis and angiogenesis within the anterior pituitary gland in long-term diethylstilboestrol (DES)-treated male F344 rats in vivo and in vitro. It was found that DES sharply increased serum PRL and VEGF levels. On the other hand, simultaneous treatment of F344 rats with thalidomide for the last 15 days of the experiment attenuated the stimulatory effect of DES on PRL and VEGF secretion. It also diminished prolactin cell proliferation evaluated as the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive stained cell nuclei and increased the number of apoptotic bodies determined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method in sections of the DES-induced pituitary prolactinoma. The density of pituitary microvessels evaluated by microscopic counting of CD-31-positive blood vessels was also diminished by the tested drug. In addition, thalidomide (10(-4) to 10(-6) M) inhibited cell proliferation, prolactin and VEGF secretion from rat pituitary prolactinoma cells cultured in vitro. In conclusion, our results provide strong evidence for the antiprolactin and antitumor activity of thalidomide in experimentally DES-induced pituitary adenoma.     

垂体催乳素瘤的病因及发病机制的实验研究

应用在同一只雄性ＳＤ大鼠中,保留原位垂体并在肾囊内植入一异体垂体,同时背部埋植装有１７－β－雌二醇（１７－β－ｅｓｔｒａｄｉｏｌ,Ｅ２）的药泵,经Ｅ２在体作用６０￣１２０天后,其原位垂体和异体移植入肾囊的垂体同时形成２垂体催乳素（ｐｒｏｌａｃｔｉｎ,ＰＲＬ）瘤的动物模型,研究ＰＲＬ瘤的发病机制。结果表明,Ｅ２长期作用可诱发原位垂体和远离下丘脑的移植垂体同时形成ＰＲＬ瘤,并伴高ＰＲＬ血症和ＰＲＬ基因     

褪黑素通过减弱催乳素基因增强子的突变抑制大鼠垂体催乳素瘤的增生

本工作旨在探讨褪黑素(melatonin,MLT)抑制17-β-雌二醇(17-β-estradiol,E2)诱发的Sprague-Dawley大鼠垂体催乳素(prolactin,PRL)瘤增生的分子机制。结果表明,每只大鼠每日定时皮下注射一定剂量的MLT(0.25、0.50mg)能显著抑制E2诱发的大鼠垂体PRL瘤的增生;偏低(0.05mg)或过高剂量(1.00、2.00mg)的MLT也抑制PRL瘤的增生,但无统计学意义。采用PCR和DNA直接测序显示,与正常垂体对照组比较,PRL瘤中PRL基因增强子出现五处突变,-1885bp位点由C突变为G,-1857~-1855由ACA替换为G,-1792~-1791插入G,-1383~-1382插入GGTGTGTG片段,-1265~-1250缺失GTGTGTGTGTGTGTGT片段。0.25mg/dMLT处理组,PRL瘤中的PRL基因增强子上述个别突变部位仍然存在(-1885由C突变为G),突变消失(-1792~-1791无插入G),大部分表现为突变减弱(-1856~-1855缺失AC,-1385~-1384缺失TG,-1250~-1253缺失GTGT)。采用荧光素酶报告基因检测PRL基因增强子活性显示,正常垂体、PRL瘤和0.25mg/dMLT处理的PRL瘤三组中,PRL基因增强子的活性分别为(13448.17±3012.74)、(161831.67±60996.01)和(10212.17±2634.71)OD单位。PRL瘤组增强子活性较正常垂体升高11倍(P<0.001),MLT处理组增强子活性较PRL瘤组降低93.69%(P<0.001)。上述三组PRL基因增强子空间结构的分析表明,PRL基因增强子DNA的曲折程度为PRL瘤组>MLT处理组>正常垂体。以上结果证实,MLT抑制大鼠垂体PRL瘤增生的重要分子机制之一可能是减弱PRL基因增强子的突变,也提示MLT可减弱PRL基因增强子的突变,从而下调PRL基因的高表达,可能与降低DNA的曲折程度有关。     

Pituitary prolactin-secreting tumor formation: recent developments

Prolactinoma is the most common type of primary pituitary tumors. It occurs more frequently in women than in men. Dopaminergic agonists are effective in the shrinkage of prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor and are preferred in some patients. However, pituitary radiotherapy may enable the long-term removal of prolactin-secreting tumor cells. Recent evidence suggests that prolactinoma is a heterogeneous disorder with complicated and multifactorial etiology and pathogenesis. Apparently, a thorough understanding of prolactinoma tumorigenesis would be important. To facilitate investigations on tumorigenesis of prolactinoma, animal models for prolactinomas have been developed. These models have expedited our progress in the recent years. Many researchers consider the F(344) rat to be the most sensitive strain of rats to estrogen (E(2))-induced prolactinoma formation. Nonetheless, E(2) treatment for 60 days also induces the formation of pituitary prolactin-secreting adenoma in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Evidently, the SD rat is also a good animal for prolactinoma investigations. Following E(2) implantation, prolactinomas developed in the eutopic adenohypophysis in situ and/or ectopic pituitary grafted under the renal capsule in SD rats. These observations favor the hypothesis that prolactinoma growth is the result of pathological changes in the adenohypophysis and/or hypothalamus. In the latter case, abnormal release of hypothalamic dopamine, GABA, or brain-gut peptides (such as cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, galanin, angiotensin, opioid peptide, gastrin, gastrin-releasing peptide, pancreatic polypeptide, and adrenocorticotropic hormone) results in some of the pathological changes that may lead to hyperprolactinemia and/or prolactinoma development. Dysregulation of prolactin synthesis and secretion may be the result of prolactin gene modulation. In E(2)-induced rat prolactinomas, prolactin mRNA contents and the expression of some proto-oncogenes, e.g. c-myc and c-ras, TGFalpha and TGFbeta1 mRNA were significantly changed. The above findings are consistent with results in human prolactinoma development. In addition, in rats abnormal expression of the prolactin gene was correlated with hypomethylated status of CpG sites in exons 1, 2 and 4 of the prolactin gene, as well as the increase in hypersensitive sites to DNase 1 in the encoding region of the prolactin gene. In E(2)-treated rats, a point mutation with a base substitution from cytidine (C) to adenine (A) was found at the -36-bp site of the proximal promoter of the prolactin gene in eutopic pituitary prolactinomas, but no change was observed in the same sequence of the prolactin gene in ectopic prolactinoma. The association of a base substitution with the hyperexpression of the prolactin gene in eutopic prolactinomas suggests that different mechanisms may mediate the formation of eutopic and ectopic prolactin-secreting tumors. Melatonin decreases the expression of the prolactin gene in vitro suggesting that this pineal hormone may be a potential anticarcinogen in vivo. It has also been shown that MT(2) (Mel(1b)) melatonin receptors are expressed in anterior pituitary cells. The use of melatonin as a preventive or therapeutic drug for prolactinomas should be further investigated. In summary, improved knowledge on tumorigenesis of prolactinomas, especially in the rat model, was noted. These E(2)-induced rat prolactinoma models would facilitate future investigations, and expected results shall be fruitful and exciting for the development of future drug designs for the prevention and/or treatment of prolactin-secreting pituitary tumors.     

Immunohistochemical, electron microscopic and morphometric studies of estrogen-induced rat prolactinomas after bromocriptine treatment

To clarify the effects of bromocriptine on prolactinoma cells in vivo, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometrical analyses were applied to estrogen-induced rat prolactinoma cells 1 h and 6 h after injection of bromocriptine (3 mg/kg of body weight). One h after treatment, serum prolactin levels decreased markedly. Electron microscopy disclosed many secretory granules, slightly distorted rough endoplasmic reticulum, and partially dilated Golgi cisternae in the prolactinoma cells. Morphometric analysis revealed that the volume density of secretory granules increased, while the volume density of cytoplasmic microtubules decreased. These findings suggest that lowered serum prolactin levels in the early phase of bromocriptine treatment may result from an impaired secretion of prolactin due to decreasing numbers of cytoplasmic microtubules. At 6 h after injection, serum prolactin levels were still considerably lower than in controls. The prolactinoma cells at this time were well granulated, with vesiculated rough endoplasmic reticulum and markedly dilated Golgi cisternae. Electron microscopical immunohistochemistry revealed positive reaction products noted on the secretory granules, Golgi cisternae, and endoplasmic reticulum of the untreated rat prolactinoma cells. However, only secretory granules showed the positive reaction products for prolactin 6 h after bromocriptine treatment of the adenoma cells. An increase in the volume density of secretory granules and a decrease in the volume densities of rough endoplasmic reticulum and microtubules was determined by morphometric analysis, suggesting that bromocriptine inhibits protein synthesis as well as bringing about a disturbance of the prolactin secretion.     

The effect of X rays, DTPA, and aspirin on the absorption of plutonium from the gastrointestinal tract of rats

To measure the effect of radiation on plutonium transport, rats that were exposed to 250-kVp X rays were given 238Pu 3 days afterwards by either gavage or injection into a ligated segment of the duodenum. In a second group of experiments, rats were either injected intraduodenally with 238Pu-DTPA or administered the chelate intravenously and the 238Pu by gavage. In a third experiment, rats that had been gavaged with 200 or 400 mg/kg/day of aspirin for 2 days were injected intragastrically with 238Pu nitrate. Results of the first experiment showed a dose-dependent increase in 238Pu absorption between 800 and 1500 rad of lower-body X irradiation. Intravenous or intraduodenal injections of DTPA caused a marked increase in 238Pu absorption but resulted in decreased plutonium deposition in the skeleton and liver. Retention of 238Pu in the skeleton of rats given aspirin was double that of controls, but the effect on plutonium absorption was less marked than that of DTPA.     

HER2/ErbB2 receptor signaling in rat and human prolactinoma cells: strategy for targeted prolactinoma therapy

Dopamine agonist resistance or intolerance is encountered in approximately 20% of prolactinoma patients. Because human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/ErbB2 is overexpressed in prolactinomas and ErbB receptor ligands regulate prolactin (PRL) gene expression, we tested the role of HER2/ErbB2 in prolactinoma hormone regulation and adenoma cell proliferation to assess the rationale for targeting this receptor for prolactinoma therapy. As we showed prolactinoma HER2 overexpression, we generated constitutively active HER2-stable GH3 cell transfectants (HER2CA). PRL mRNA levels were induced approximately 250-fold and PRL secretion was enhanced 100-fold in HER2CA cells, which also exhibited increased proliferation. Lapatinib, a dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) of both epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/ErbB1 and HER2, blocked receptor signaling, and suppressed PRL expression more than gefitinib, a TKI of EGFR/ErbB1. Lapatinib also suppressed colony formation in soft agar more than gefitinib. Oral lapatinib treatment caused tumor shrinkage and serum PRL suppression both in HER2CA transfectant-inoculated Wistar-Furth rats and in estrogen-induced Fischer344 rat prolactinomas. In cultured human cells derived from resected prolactinoma tissue, lapatinib suppressed both PRL mRNA expression and secretion. These results demonstrate that prolactinoma HER2 potently induces PRL and regulates experimental prolactinoma cell proliferation. Because pituitary HER2 signaling is abrogated by TKIs, this receptor could be an effective target for prolactinoma therapy.