Despite many years of studies on the mechanisms of immunological defence responses induced in host organisms by Toxoplasma, no satisfactory immunoprophylaxis or chemotherapy have yet been established for humans. Thus, alternative methods to prevent toxoplasmosis and to enhance the efficacy of currently used antitoxoplasmic drugs are under evaluation. In this work, we strove to determine the influence of human prolactin (endogenous present in serum--sPRL and recombinant--rhPRL) on the course of Toxoplasma infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) originating from female hyperprolactinemia patients. This study revealed that exogenous rhPRL as well as autologous sPRL from inactivated sera significantly restricted intracellular growth of Toxoplasma in PBMC cultures. Moreover, analysis of IL-10 production by PBMC infected with Toxoplasma and cultured in the presence of sPRL showed a positive correlation between sPRL concentration and the level of IL-10. The obtained results could indicate the possible protective action of PRL in a host organism infected with Toxoplasma and suggest that a significant increase in the serum PRL level, during pregnancy for instance, might significantly limit the risk of Toxoplasma spreading and could play an important role in natural protection against toxoplasmosis. The mechanism of inhibitory effect of PRL needs further detailed study.
© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.