Topographic distribution of lymphatic vessels in the normal human prostate.
BACKGROUND
The lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor (LYVE-1) is a specific cell surface protein in lymphatic endothelium. The antiserum against human LYVE-1 was developed and was confirmed a powerful marker of lymphatic endothelium in human organs. With this novel marker we investigated the small network of intraprostate lymphatic vessels.


METHODS
To identify intraprostatic lymphatic vessels, we performed an immunohistochemical staining method using LYVE-1 pAb and von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and assessed the difference in distribution of small lymphatic vessels between the components in the prostate.


RESULTS
The density of lymphatic vessel was significantly high around ejaculatory ducts and in the fibromascular area between the globular area of peripheral zone and transitional zone. Predominat lymphatic vessels distributed in the fibromascular area in the anterior and posterior prostate of extrastromal area.


CONCLUSIONS
Recognition of the distinctive features of the intraprostate lymphatic network, can help the investigation of lymphatic involvement in cancer of the prostate.
Soh
Shigehiro
S
Department of Urology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. ssong@md.kitasato-u.ac.jp
Ishii
Toshiharu
T
Sato
Erina
E
Akishima
Yuri
Y
Ito
Kinji
K
Baba
Shiro
S
D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D042601:Lymphatic Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins
D015415:Biomarkers; D006023:Glycoproteins; C119248:LYVE1 protein, human; D033921:Vesicular Transport Proteins