Interstitial cells in the human prostate: a new therapeutic target?
BACKGROUND
Interstitial cells have been described in different human organs, including gut and bladder. In the gut they function as pacemaker cells, generating slow wave potentials. Absence or defects in these cells result in motility disorders. In the bladder these cells express the vanilloid receptor and may contribute to the working mechanism of vanilloid therapy. Recently, slow wave potentials and interstitial cells were described in the guinea-pig prostate. In this study we describe the presence of interstitial cells in the human prostate gland.


METHODS
We performed immunohistochemical staining for c-kit, vanilloid receptor (VR1), cannabinoid receptor (CB1) connexin43, and neurofilament on fresh frozen tissue from 14 prostatectomy specimens.


RESULTS
A large number of cells with a stellate aspect were noticed under the basal layer of the prostatic duct system and in between the smooth muscle cells. They were immunoreactive for c-kit, VR1, and connexin43 but not to CB1 or neurofilament.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence for interstitial cells in the human prostate. Taken together their topography and immunohistochemical characterization, the discovery of slow wave potentials in guinea pig prostate and the knowledge of interstitial cells in other organs, interstitial cells are likely to be involved in normal prostate physiology.
Van der Aa
Frank
F
Department of Urology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Kuleuven, Belgium.
Roskams
Tania
T
Blyweert
Wim
W
De Ridder
Dirk
D
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology
D018031:Connexin 43; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit