Transforming growth factor beta 1 transduced mouse prostate reconstitutions: I. Induction of neuronal phenotypes.
BACKGROUND
We previously showed that retroviral transduction of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) induces focally hyperplastic lesions resembling benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and an increase in the number of ganglion-like cells in the mouse prostate reconstitution (MPR) model in vivo. In the present study we further characterize the neuronal phenotypes induced by TGF-beta 1 retroviral transduction in MPRs.


METHODS
Computer-assisted morphometric analysis was used to evaluate neuronal density. Neuronal cell markers, including neurofilament, neuron-specific enolase, tyrosine hydroxylase, choline acetyltransferase, L-met enkaphaline, and serotonin, were detected by immunostaining.


RESULTS
A fourfold increase in neuronal density was observed in TGF-beta 1 retrovirus-transduced MPRs. The relative frequencies of neuronal subtypes remained similar, with catecholaminergic and cholinergic neurons presenting as the most abundant. We found no evidence of infection of neurons; therefore, increased neuronal density was likely due to paracrine activities.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that enforced TGF-beta 1 expression leads to growth and/or survival of both catecholaminergic and cholinergic neuronal cells in mouse prostate reconstitutions.
Yang
G
G
Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Timme
T L
TL
Park
S H
SH
Thompson
T C
TC
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002455:Cell Division; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D002395:Catecholamines; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D000109:Acetylcholine