Microvesicle induction of prostate specific gene expression in normal human bone marrow cells.
OBJECTIVE
Transfer of genetic material from cancer cells to normal cells occurs via microvesicles. Cell specific phenotypes can be induced in normal cells by the transfer of material in microvesicles, leading to genetic changes. We report the identification and expression of prostate specific genes in normal human marrow cells co-cultured with human prostate cancer cells.


METHODS
We harvested prostate tissue from 11 patients with prostate cancer. In 4 cases prostate tissue was co-cultured across from human marrow for 2 or 7 days but separated from it by a 0.4 μM polystyrene membrane. In 5 cases conditioned medium from patient cancer tissue was collected and ultracentrifuged, and microvesicles were collected for co-culture (3) and vesicle characterization (3). Explanted human marrow was harvested from cultures and RNA extracted. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was done for select prostate specific genes.


RESULTS
Marrow exposed to human prostate tumor or isolated microvesicles in culture in 4 and 3 cases, respectively, showed at least 2-fold or greater prostate gene expression than control marrow. In 1 case in which normal prostate was co-cultured there were no prostate gene increases in normal marrow.


CONCLUSIONS
Prostate cancer tumor cells co-cultured with human bone marrow cells induce prostate specific gene expression. The proposed mechanism of transfer of genetic material is via microvesicles. This represents an opportunity for novel therapeutic agents, such as antibodies, to block microvesicle release from cancer cells or for agents that may block cells from accepting microvesicles.
Renzulli
Joseph F
JF
Department of Urology, Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Del Tatto
Michael
M
Dooner
Gerri
G
Aliotta
Jason
J
Goldstein
Lisa
L
Dooner
Mark
M
Colvin
Gerald
G
Chatterjee
Devasis
D
Quesenberry
Peter
P
D000368:Aged; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000235:genetics*