Prostatic ductal system in rats: Tissue-specific expression and regional variation in stromal distribution of transforming growth factor-β1

Jeffrey A. Nemeth*, Julia A. Sensibar, Roxanne R. White, David J. Zelner, Isaac Y. Kim, Chung Lee

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Regional variations in stromal-epithelial interactions, mediated through soluble growth factors, may be responsible for differences in epithelial growth and death observed between regions of the rat prostatic ductal system. Since transforming growth factor-β1 (TGP-β1) can induce prostatic epithelial cell death in vitro and in vivo, we examined the localization and production of TGF-β1 with respect to the functional regions of the rat prostatic ductal system. METHODS. The distribution of TGF-β1 in the rat ventral prostate was examined by immunohistochemistry. Cell type- specific expression of TGF-β1 was determined using RT-PCR analysis of prostate epithelial and stromal cell fractions separated by Percoll gradient centrifugation. RESULTS. Immunohistochemical staining of normal prostate revealed regional variations in stromal TGE-β1 protein, which was most abundant in the stroma surrounding the degenerative proximal ducts. TGF-β1 staining was also tightly associated with the prostatic smooth muscle. Results of RT-PCR experiments confirmed the major source of TGF-β1 mRNA in normal rat prostate to be the stroma, with lesser expression by the epitherlium. CONCLUSIONS. Stromal TGF-β1 was associated with cell death in the adjacent epithelial cell compartment in the prostatic ductal system, and α-smooth muscle actin-positive stromal cells may play a negative growth- regulatory role in the rat ventral prostate through production of TGF-β1.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)64-71
Number of pages8
JournalProstate
Volume33
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 15 1997

Keywords

  • Prostate
  • Smooth muscle
  • TGF-β1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Urology

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