ANNUAL REVIEW master Final3a - St Vincent's University Hospital

Although clinical observations have been consistent with the concept that macroprolactin is not active in the
body, laboratory bioassays have indicated that macroprolactin retains bioactivity. The classical bioassay for
prolactin uses Nb2 cells derived from rat lymphoma which have been shown to multiply when exposed to
prolactin. When macroprolactin was added to Nb2 cells, multiplication occurred over a period of 72 hours.
Lucille Kavanagh has now demonstrated that during incubation with the cells, the prolactin/antibody complex
dissociates freeing up prolactin in its active state, monomeric, and thus provides bioactive prolactin. This
explains why macroprolactin appeared to be bioactive in the Nb2 cells and indiates that this bioassay is
inappropriate for macroprolactin.
In further studies, Lucille Kavanagh has demonstrated that while macroprolactin is usually due to a
combination of prolactin and an antibody to prolactin, it is not associated with other disorders associated with
the production of antibodies against normal body tissues i.e. autoimmunity.
Dr Malachi McKenna is a member of the Editorial Board for the journal, Osteoporosis International. Professor
TJ McKenna retired in August 2007, but continues with his research activities.
Thyroid Eye Disease Research
Personnel:
Dr. Donal O’Shea & Dr. Tom Cawood
Dr Cawood completed his studies on the potential role of anti-cytokine therapies in thyroid eye disease, and
has also investigated the link between smoking and thyroid eye disease. This in vitro work, funded by a
Clinical Research Training Fellowship from the Health Research Board, has suggested that Interleukin 1 may
be an attractive therapeutic target as Interleukin promotes numerous pathological processes in thyroid eye
disease (including inflammation, glycosaminoglycan production and adipogenesis). Interleukin 1 also acts in
synergy with cigarette smoke extract to promote adipogenesis, which may help explain why smoking worsens
thyroid eye disease. Dr Cawood was awarded the O’Donovan Medal by the Irish Endocrine Society, and the
Novartis Endocrinology Registrar Research Medal for this work and was awarded his Ph.D. in 2007. In July
2007 Dr Cawood moved to New Zealand to complete his specialist training.
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