Transforming growth factor-beta 3 is expressed in nondividing basal epithelial cells in normal human prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia, and is no longer detectable in prostate carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
We investigated the role of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) family in the neoplastic progression of the human prostate.


METHODS
Expression of TGF-beta mRNA was measured by Northern blot analysis of tissue extracts, and TGF-beta protein by immunohistochemical analysis of tissue sections. Proliferating cells were detected by their expression of Ki-67 antigen.


RESULTS
The level of TGF-beta 1 mRNA was equal among normal prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate carcinoma. TGF-beta 2 mRNA was not detectable, and TGF-beta 3 mRNA was expressed 20-fold lesion in carcinoma compared to BPH and normal prostate. TGF-beta 1 protein was expressed in the stromal cells in all three tissues and TGF-beta 3 protein in the basal layer of epithelial cells, but not in carcinoma. Proliferating epithelial cells fail to express TGF-beta 3.


CONCLUSIONS
TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 3 are independently regulated, and carcinoma of the prostate is characterized by the loss of basal epithelial cells expressing TGF-beta 3.
Djonov
V
V
Department of Clinical and Experimental Research, University of Berne, Switzerland.
Ball
R K
RK
Graf
S
S
Mottaz
A E
AE
Arnold
A M
AM
Flanders
K
K
Studer
U E
UE
Merz
V W
VW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002455:Cell Division; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta