Gene expression profile of primary prostate epithelial and stromal cells in response to sulforaphane or iberin exposure.
BACKGROUND
Broccoli consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) derived from glucosinolates that accumulate in broccoli are dietary compounds that may mediate these health effects. Sulforaphane (SF, 4-methylsulphinylbutyl ITC) derives from heading broccoli (calabrese) and iberin (IB, 3-methylsulphinypropyl ITC) from sprouting broccoli. While there are many studies regarding the biological activity of SF, mainly undertaken with cancerous cells, there are few studies associated with IB.


METHODS
Primary epithelial and stromal cells were derived from benign prostatic hyperplasia tissue. Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 whole genome arrays were used to compare global gene expression between these cells, and to quantify changes in gene expression following exposure to physiologically appropriate concentrations of SF and IB. Ontology and pathway analyses were used to interpret results. Changes in expression of a subset of genes were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Global gene expression profiling identified epithelial and stromal-specific gene expression profiles. SF induced more changes in epithelial cells, whereas IB was more effective in stromal cells. Although IB and SF induced different changes in gene expression in both epithelial and stromal cells, these were associated with similar pathways, such as cell cycle and detoxification. Both ITCs increased expression of PLAGL1, a tumor suppressor gene, in stromal cells and suppressed expression of the putative tumor promoting genes IFITM1, CSPG2, and VIM in epithelial cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that IB and SF both alter genes associated with cancer prevention, and IB should be investigated further as a potential chemopreventative agent. Prostate 69: 1411-1421, 2009. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Chambers
Karen F
KF
Natural Products and Health Programme, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK.
Bacon
James R
JR
Kemsley
E Katherine
EK
Mills
Robert D
RD
Ball
Richard Y
RY
Mithen
Richard F
RF
Traka
Maria H
MH
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D017879:Isothiocyanates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D013454:Sulfoxides; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000494:pharmacology*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D017879:Isothiocyanates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013454:Sulfoxides; D013861:Thiocyanates; C082585:iberin; C016766:sulforaphane