Gene expression down-regulation in CD90+ prostate tumor-associated stromal cells involves potential organ-specific genes.
BACKGROUND
The prostate stroma is a key mediator of epithelial differentiation and development, and potentially plays a role in the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. The tumor-associated stroma is marked by increased expression of CD90/THY1. Isolation and characterization of these stromal cells could provide valuable insight into the biology of the tumor microenvironment.


METHODS
Prostate CD90+ stromal fibromuscular cells from tumor specimens were isolated by cell-sorting and analyzed by DNA microarray. Dataset analysis was used to compare gene expression between histologically normal and tumor-associated stromal cells. For comparison, stromal cells were also isolated and analyzed from the urinary bladder.


RESULTS
The tumor-associated stromal cells were found to have decreased expression of genes involved in smooth muscle differentiation, and those detected in prostate but not bladder. Other differential expression between the stromal cell types included that of the CXC-chemokine genes.


CONCLUSIONS
CD90+ prostate tumor-associated stromal cells differed from their normal counterpart in expression of multiple genes, some of which are potentially involved in organ development.
Pascal
Laura E
LE
Department of Urology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. pascalle@upmc.edu
Goo
Young Ah
YA
Vêncio
Ricardo Zn
RZ
Page
Laura S
LS
Chambers
Amber A
AA
Liebeskind
Emily S
ES
Takayama
Thomas K
TK
True
Lawrence D
LD
Liu
Alvin Y
AY
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1; D008297:Male; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; C475476:LRP1 protein, human; D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1