Effects of cyclic stretch on prostatic cells in culture.
OBJECTIVE
The fundamental process in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a loss of homeostasis between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Prostatic smooth muscle cells contract under adrenergic control. The response of a cell to stretch may have a role in the pathogenesis of BPH.


METHODS
Monolayer cultures of human prostatic stromal and epithelial cell lines were exposed to cyclic stretch for 48 hours.


RESULTS
Cyclic stretch conferred resistance to etoposide induced apoptosis. Underlying this apoptotic resistance was increased expression of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family of proteins. As measured by thymidine incorporation, the rate of proliferation also increased in benign epithelial cells under cyclic stretch conditions. Furthermore, an increase in the production of platelet-derived growth factor by stromal cells and transforming growth factor-beta by epithelial cells occurred under such conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed changes in proliferation and apoptosis may contribute to the understanding of BPH, ultimately leading to therapeutic and preventive applications.
Hegarty
Paul K
PK
Department of Surgery, Mater Misericordiae Hospital and University College Dublin, Ireland.
Watson
R William G
RW
Coffey
Ronan N T
RN
Webber
Mukta M
MM
Fitzpatrick
John M
JM
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D011467:Prostate / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000502:physiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism; D051020:bcl-X Protein
C494811:BCL2L1 protein, human; D064549:Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D019938:Cyclin D1