Culture of mouse prostatic epithelial cells from genetically engineered mice.
BACKGROUND
The lack of appropriate prostate cancer models is a major problem for prostate cancer research. Progress has been made towards the development of better in vivo rodent genetic models for prostatic disease. However, an in vitro model is often preferred for the elucidation of cellular mechanisms involved in the disease.


METHODS
We microdissected the four prostatic lobes from young male mice, harvested the epithelial components, and grew epithelial cells from these tissues. We maintained the growth of these cells in long-term and three-dimensional culture.


RESULTS
We have reproducibly harvested and cultured for extended passages mouse prostatic epithelial cells (MPECs) from a variety of mouse genetic strains. These cells express luminal and basal epithelial markers as well as the androgen receptor. Additionally, MPECs form classic branching structures in a three-dimensional collagen matrix.


CONCLUSIONS
We have developed a novel culture system to harvest and grow MPECs in long-term culture. These cells will serve as a useful in vitro complement to studies using mouse genetic models for prostatic disease.
Barclay
Wendy W
WW
Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Cramer
Scott D
SD
D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology*; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics
C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; C493957:Cdkn1a protein, mouse; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol