Prostatic stromal cells derived from benign prostatic hyperplasia specimens possess stem cell like property.
BACKGROUND
The hyper-proliferative activity of stromal smooth muscle (SM) cells is believed to be responsible for the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We have observed that those stromal cells can differentiate into unrelated specialized cells. We thus hypothesize that stromal cells derived from adults prostate specimens may contain adult stem cells. To test this hypothesis, human prostate stromal primary cultures were established and used for characterization of their stem cell properties.


METHODS
Immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and tissue culture techniques were used to characterize the primary cultured human prostate-derived stromal cells for their stem cell and differentiation properties. The plasticity of these stromal cells was analyzed using cell culture and histology techniques.


RESULTS
Primary cultured prostate stromal cells from BPH patient possess polygonal and elongated fibroblast/myofibroblast cellular morphology. They are positive in CD30, CD34, CD44, NSE, CD133, Flt-1, stem cell factor (SCF), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), but negative in C-Kit, stem cell antigen (SCA), SH2, CD11b. Expression of SM myogenic markers in these cells may be induced by sodium butyrate (NaBu) treatment. Induction to osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation in these cells is also evident.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study on primary stromal cells from BPH patients have yielded many interesting findings that these prostate stroma cells possess: (1) mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers; (2) strong proliferative potential; and (3) ability to differentiate or transdifferentiate to myogenic, adipogenic, and osteogenic lineages. These cell preparations may serve as a potential tool for studies in prostate adult stem cell research and the regulation of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Lin
Victor K
VK
Department of Urology, The University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9110, USA. victor.lin@utsouthwestern.edu
Wang
Shih-Ya
SY
Vazquez
Dolores V
DV
C Xu
Chet
C
Zhang
Sheng
S
Tang
Liping
L
D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D024510:Muscle Development / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology
D012313:RNA