[Expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1, desmin and CD34 in the penile corpus cavernosum of rats].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), Desmin and CD34 in the penile corpus cavernosum of SD rats in different age groups.


METHODS
We randomly selected 10 SD rats in each of the 2-, 5- and 20-month age groups, harvested their penile corpus cavernosum tissues under ether anesthesia, and detected the mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-beta1, Desmin and CD34 by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The results of RT-PCR showed the mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, Desmin and CD34 in the corpus cavernosum tissues, with significant differences between every two groups (P < 0.01). The TGF-beta1 protein was mainly expressed in the trabeculae and around the arteries of the corpus cavernosum for membrane and cytoplasm staining, the Desmin protein mainly in the membrane and cytoplasm for muscle tissue staining; and the CD34 protein mainly in the vascular and sinusoidal endothelia. The mRNA expression of TGF-beta1 was correlated positively (r = 0.944, P < 0.01) while those of Desmin and CD34 negatively with the age of the rats (r = -0.947, P < 0.01; r = -0.934, P < 0.01). And the mRNA expressions of both Desmin and CD34 had a significant correlation with that of TGF-beta1 (r = -0.888, P < 0.01; r = -0.887, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
With the increase of age, the expression of TGF-beta1 is significantly up-regulated, while those of Desmin and CD34 significantly down-regulated in the corpus cavernosum tissues, and it is negatively correlated with the latter two. TGF-beta1 is an important influencing factor on ED.
Xu
Li-jun
LJ
Department of Urology, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215004, China.
Shan
Yu-xi
YX
Chen
Dong
D
Gao
Jie
J
Yang
Dong-rong
DR
Sun
Chuan-yang
CY
Cui
Yong
Y
Xue
Bo-xin
BX
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism*; D003893:Desmin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D003893:Desmin; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1