Androgen-independent basal cell re-epithelialization, c-erbB-2 mRNA expression and androgen-dependent EGFr mRNA expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia explant cultures treated with finasteride.
We have analyzed the effects of the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, finasteride (MK906), on the mRNA expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor and c-erbB-2 genes, in benign prostatic hyperplasia explant cultures treated with testosterone and with testosterone plus finasteride. A decrease of the epithelial cell content and an androgen-independent basal cell re-epithelialization was observed during the first 10 days of culture, suggesting a role of basal cells as stem cells involved in androgen-independent epithelial regeneration. Using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique, we observed a significant decrease in expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor in the cultures treated with finasteride whereas no effect of finasteride on c-erbB-2 transcription was detected, although the expression of both genes was increased by dihydrotestosterone.
Schwartz
S
S
Unitat de Recerca Biomèdica, Centre d'Investigacions en Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. sschwartz@ljcrf.edu
Caceres
C
C
De Torres
I
I
Morote
J
J
Rodriguez-Vallejo
J M
JM
Gonzalez
J
J
Reventos
J
J
D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D018120:Finasteride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*
D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D018120:Finasteride; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D013739:Testosterone