title: [Rat prostate glandular epithelial cells cultured in vitro and their barrier function].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To culture rat prostate glandular epithelial cells and study their barrier functions in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rat prostate glandular epithelial cells were cultured in vitro. The expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 was determined by immunohistochemistry, the structure and composition of the epithelial cells observed under the inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope. The transepithelial electrical resistances (TEERs) were monitored with the Millicell system. The permeability of the prostate glandular epithelial cells was assessed by the phenol red leakage test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compact monolayer cell structures were formed in the prostate glandular epithelial cells cultured in vitro. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of the tight junction protein claudin-1 and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the formation of tight junctions between the adjacent glandular epithelial cells. The TEERs in the cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells reached the peak of about (201.3 ± 3.5) Ω/cm2 on the 8th day. The phenol red leakage test manifested a decreased permeability of the cell layers with the increase of TEERs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The structure and function of rat prostate glandular epithelial cells are similar to those of brain capillary endothelial cells, retinal capillary endothelial cells, and intestinal epithelial cells. In vitro cultured prostate glandular epithelial cells have the barrier function and can be used as a model for the study of blood prostate barrier in vitro.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Yong-gang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Shang
authors.forename: Guang-wei
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Cheng-cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Shan-hong
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D062445:Claudin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010637:Phenolsulfonphthalein / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D051381:Rats; D019108:Tight Junctions
chemical_list: D062445:Claudin-1; D010637:Phenolsulfonphthalein