Inflammatory infiltrate in prostatic hyperplasia--evidence of a host response to intraprostatic spermatozoa?
The inflammatory infiltrate was characterised in 20 samples of prostatic hyperplasia using cell surface specific monoclonal antibodies. The infiltrate was composed predominantly of CD-3+ T-lymphocytes. The distribution of the T-lymphocyte subsets (CD-4 and CD-8) between the epithelial and stromal components of the gland was significantly different, with most of the intra-epithelial infiltrate being CD8+, T cytotoxic/suppressor cells. This may be a necessary immunological barrier, as in the epididymis, to prevent the development of autoimmunisation to sperm antigens. Large numbers of CD4+ T helper/inducer cells and significant numbers of CD-11c+ macrophages were demonstrated in the extra-glandular stromal tissues, suggesting a delayed type hypersensitivity reaction. Intraprostatic spermatozoa have been demonstrated recently and we have confirmed this finding on post mortem specimens. It is postulated that the presence of an intra-epithelial cytotoxic barrier and the marked stromal infiltrate may be due, in part, to the intermittent presence of spermatozoa within the prostate.
McClinton
S
S
Department of Urology, University of Aberdeen.
Eremin
O
O
Miller
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ID
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002452:Cell Count; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell