Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its death receptor (DR5) in Peyronie's disease. A biomolecular study of apoptosis activation.
BACKGROUND
Peyronie's disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder of tunica albuginea (TA), a thick fibrous sheath surrounding the corpora cavernosa of the penis. Relatively, little is known about the disease itself.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the apoptosis cascade in degenerated and macroscopically deformed TA from men with PD is activated through the extrinsic pathway, by assessing the immunoexpression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its death receptor, DR5.


METHODS
TA plaques from 15 men with PD and from four unaffected men were processed for TRAIL and DR5 immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.


METHODS
A greater understanding of the pathophysiology of PD through a molecular approach, to gain insights that may lead to novel forms of treatment.


RESULTS
Activation of the apoptosis mechanisms through the extrinsic pathway was demonstrated by TRAIL and DR5 overexpression in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts from affected TA.


CONCLUSIONS
The finding that apoptosis activation in TA plaques occurs, at least in part, via the extrinsic pathway may help devise novel therapeutic options for these patients.
Loreto
Carla
C
Department of Anatomy, Diagnostic Pathology, Forensic Medicine, Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Italy. carla.loreto@unict.it
Barbagli
Guido
G
Djinovic
Rados
R
Vespasiani
Giuseppe
G
Carnazza
Maria Luisa
ML
Miano
Roberto
R
Musumeci
Giuseppe
G
Sansalone
Salvatore
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism; D010411:Penile Induration / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*
D053220:Receptors, TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand; D053221:TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand