Differential growth rates in stromal cultures of human prostate derived from patients of varying ages

Differences in phenotype and gene expression of prostate stromal cells from patients of varying ages and their influence on tumour formation by prostate epithelial cells

Prostate cancer (PCa) is an age-related disease, and the stromal microenvironment plays an important role in prostatic malignant progression. However, the differences in prostate stromal cells present in young and old tissue are still obscure. We established primary cultured stromal cells from normal prostatic peripheral zone (PZ) of donors of varying ages and found that cultured stromal cells from old donors (PZ-old) were more enlarged and polygonal than those from young donors (PZ-young). Furthermore, based on immunocytochemical and ultrastructural analysis, the components of stromal cells changed from a majority of fibroblasts to a mixture of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts with increasing donor age. Using a three-dimensional in vitro culture system, we found that PZ-old stromal cells could enhance the proliferation, migration and invasion of cocultured benign BPH-1 and PC-3 cells. Using an in vivo tissue recombination system, we also found that PZ-old stromal cells are more effective than PZ-young cells in promoting tumour formation by BPH-1 cells of high passage (>100) and PC-3 cells. To probe the possible mechanism of these effects, we performed cDNA microarray analysis and profiled 509 upregulated genes and 188 downregulated genes in PZ-old cells. Among the changed genes, we found genes coding for a subset of paracrine factors that are capable of influencing adjacent epithelial cells; these include hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IGFBP4), IGFBP5 and matrix metallopeptidase 1 (MMP1). Changes in the expression of these genes were further confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Overall, our findings indicate that stromal cells from prostate PZ of old donors are more active than similar cells from young donors in promoting the malignant process of adjacent epithelial cells. This finding hints at a new potential strategy for the prevention of PCa.

17Beta-estradiol at low concentrations acts through distinct pathways in normal versus benign prostatic hyperplasia-derived prostate stromal cells

The aim of this study was to identify differential responses to low concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E2) in primary stromal cell cultures derived from either normal organ donors or benign prostatic hyperplasia or hypertrophy (BPH) specimens. Furthermore, we sought to identify the potential mechanism of E2 action in these cell types, through either a genomic or nongenomic mechanism. We initially treated stromal cells derived from five normal prostates or five BPH specimens with low concentrations of E2 (0.001-1.0 nM) and analyzed their growth response. To determine whether genomic or nongenomic pathways were involved, we performed studies using specific estrogen receptor antagonists to confirm transcriptional activity or MAPK inhibitors to confirm the involvement of rapid signaling. Results of these studies revealed a fundamental difference in the mechanism of the response to E2. In normal cells, we found that a nongenomic, rapid E2 signaling pathway is predominantly involved, mediated by G protein-coupled receptor-30 and the subsequent activation of ERK1/2. In BPH-derived prostate stromal cells, a genomic pathway is predominantly involved because the addition of ICI 182780 was sufficient to abrogate any estrogenic effects. In conclusion, prostate stromal cells respond to far lower concentrations of E2 than previously recognized or examined, and this response is mediated through two distinct mechanisms, depending on its origin. This may provide the basis for new insights into the causes of, and possible treatments for, BPH.

Modulation of prostate cancer cell gene expression by cell-to-cell contact with bone marrow stromal cells or osteoblasts

After prostate cancer cells (PCa) arrive in bone, interactions with cells that include long bone osteoblasts (LBOB) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) lead to metastasis formation. The effect of heterotypic cell-cell contact between PCa cells and BMSC or LBOB on PCa cell gene expression is poorly understood. To establish the role of heterotypic contact in bone metastasis formation, we mixed and co-cultured PC3 cells with rat BMSC, LBOB, or human prostate stromal cells (PS15). PC3 cells were then re-isolated for gene array analysis, and imaged using in situ hybridization to confirm that heterotypic contact regulates gene expression. The gene expression was examined using focused gene arrays containing 96 each of tumor metastasis genes or osteogenesis genes. A total of 18 out of 192 genes in PC3 cells were found to be under or over expressed subsequent to heterotypic contact with BMSC when analyzed. A total of 15 genes out of 192 were regulated in co-culture with LBOB, and 19 genes with PS15. Only two genes, uPA and Collagen III, were regulated by contact with BMSC or LBOB (both are bone derived cells), but not by contact with PS15. The relationship between cell-cell contact and uPA expression was further explored by varying cell ratios in co-culture. uPA over-expression in PC3 was related to the BMSC:PC3 ratio, and was maximum at a 10:1 ratio, where most PC3 cells would be in contact with BMSC, as predicted by a theoretical model of heterotypic contact. In situ staining of micropatterned PC3 and BMSC cells showed that uPA over-expression localizes to regions of heterotypic cell-cell contact. Taken together, our results suggest that heterotypic cell-to-cell contact between PC3 and BMSC proportionally enhances gene expression for uPA, providing a mechanism for localized control of invasiveness.

Biological behavior of the gerbil ventral prostate in three phases of postnatal development

In this study, we characterized the gerbil's ventral prostate histology ultrastructurally and quantitatively throughout three phases of postnatal development (young, adult, and old) in order to comprehend its biological behavior and propensity to developing spontaneous lesions with aging. The gerbil prostate is composed of alveoli and ducts immersed in a stroma composed of smooth muscle, fibroblasts, collagen and elastic fibers and vessels. The prostate tissue components present morphological and quantitative aspects that vary according to age. Young animals have an immature gland with modest secretory activity. Synthetic activity remained stable in adult and old gerbil. However, prostatic morphology was altered in the aging, showing an increased epithelium and stromal fibrosis. The nuclei of the secretory cells increased with aging, whereas nucleoli presented few alterations during postnatal development. The epithelial proliferation and stromal remodeling noted in this study indicate that the gerbil prostate may respond to the androgen declines typical of senescence through epithelial proliferation and stromal remodeling.

Dual regulation of proliferation and growth arrest in prostatic stromal cells by transforming growth factor-beta1

In a preliminary study, we observed that TGF-beta1 induced both proliferation and growth arrest in prostatic stromal cells, depending on the concentration of TGF-beta1 used in the culture medium. In this study, we explored possible mechanisms of this dual effect of TGF-beta. Primary cultures of prostatic stromal cells, established from clinical surgical specimens and treated with low doses of TGF-beta1 (0.001-0.01 ng/ml), resulted in an increase in cell proliferation. The addition of neutralizing antibody against platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, but not anti-PDGF-AA, abrogated this stimulatory effect of TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1 treatment resulted in a dose-related increase in PDGF-BB production as measured by ELISA. Cells underwent growth arrest at high concentrations of TGF-beta1 (1.0 and 10 ng/ml). An inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk), p15INK4b, was up-regulated at both transcript and protein levels in these cultures by TGF-beta1 in a dose-related manner as determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The transcript, but not the protein, for another cdk inhibitor, p21Cip1, was up-regulated with treatment of TGF-beta1 to these cells. Levels of other cdk inhibitors, such as p16INK4a and p27Kip1, were constitutively expressed in prostatic stromal cells and were not significantly affected by TGF-beta1 treatment. Finally, the growth arrest effect of TGF-beta1 was abrogated when antisense oligonucleotides to p15INH4b, but not p21Cip1, were added to the culture medium. These data indicate that the dual effect of TGF-beta1 is mediated, at least, by up-regulation of PDGF-BB and p15INK4b, respectively.

A Darwinian-evolutionary concept of age-related diseases

Humans and animals are structurally designed as a compromise to guarantee optimal survival until the time of reproduction based on natural selection that is effective until that age. Modern conditions of life including improvement of hygiene, preventive and curative medicine as well as socio-economic and political developments have led to an increase of the mean life expectancy that allows ever larger proportions of the population to reach an age that is far beyond that of the reproductive phase. The concept of a Darwinian-evolutionary basis for the development of age-related diseases in principle postulates that genetic traits that are beneficial in younger years to allow for successful reproduction may become deleterious in the elderly, i.e. when selective pressure does not seem to be effective anymore. Examples for this mechanism of pleiotropic antagonism taken from the work of the Institute for Biomedical Aging Research in Innsbruck, Austria, include atherosclerosis, benign and malignant prostate hypertrophy, Alzheimer's disease and the reciprocal relationship between cellular senescence and cancer.

Stromal and acinar components of the transition zone in normal and hyperplastic human prostate

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the histological components of the transition zone in both normal human prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to determine the volumetric density (Vv) of the different elements (connective tissue, smooth muscle cells, acini and total stroma).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples of BPH tissue from the transition zone were obtained from 16 patients with clinical symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction who underwent open prostatectomy. The control samples comprised 16 transition zone samples from prostates obtained during necropsy of adults aged < 30 years (killed in accidents). The Vv of these components was determined by stereological methods.

RESULTS

The mean (sd) Vv in the controls and BPH samples were, respectively: connective tissue 40.47 (5.16) and 46.71 (9.91)%; smooth muscle cells 24.86 (2.74) and 31.56 (5.49)%; acini 28.73 (6.25) and 17.78 (10.87)%; all differences were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirm the hypothesis that in BPH there is an increase in the stromal component, both smooth muscle fibres and connective tissue.

Method for procuring specific populations of viable human prostate cells for research

SUMMARY

A wider range of research can be conducted on viable tissue samples than on fixed or frozen samples. A major obstacle to studying viable prostate tissue samples is the inability to accurately identify cancer on direct examination of unembedded tissue. We used a dissecting microscope to identify cancer in unfixed prostate tissue samples stained on the cut surface with 0.5% aqueous toluidine blue. We measured the diagnostic accuracy of this technique in 25 consecutive prostatectomies, determined the viability of procured samples, and estimated the effect on final pathologic assessment. Both surfaces of a 3- to 5-mm thick cross-section taken midway between base and apex of the prostate were examined. A 4-mm punch biopsy was directed to one benign and one malignant area when clearly present. The dissecting microscope allowed clearcut recognition of carcinoma in 17 of the 25 cross-sections, and carcinoma was confirmed in all 17 (100%). In 8 of 25 cases, no procurement was attempted because no carcinoma was evident in the one cross-section studied. Twenty of 25 cross-sections were adequate for benign tissue procurement; five of the cross-sections were not suitable for procurement because of the presence of extensive carcinoma or atrophy. Seventeen of the 20 were accurately diagnosed as benign (85%); one showed pseudohyperplastic adenocarcinoma, one showed focal high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, and one showed urothelial carcinoma in situ. Prostatic epithelium obtained with the technique remains viable and can be separated from stroma. The dissecting microscope technique appears to facilitate rather than interfere with accurate pathologic assessment: extraprostatic extension or positive margins were correctly identified during tissue procurement in three cases. The procedure takes only about 30 minutes.

Cultured stromal cells: an in vitro model of prostatic mesenchymal biology

BACKGROUND

Initial efforts to develop in vitro models to study prostatic biology focused on the culture and characterization of epithelial cells. Recently, attention has turned towards inclusion of stromal cells in experimental systems.

METHODS

Improved methods to isolate and culture stromal cells have been developed. An array of markers are employed to characterize subtypes of stromal cells, with particular interest in smooth muscle differentiation.

RESULTS

Defined, serum-free media are available for certain experimental applications. Conditions that promote smooth muscle differentiation have been identified. Investigators have characterized hormonal and peptide factors that regulate the growth of prostatic stromal cells, and have also described paracrine factors produced by stromal cells that influence epithelial biology.

CONCLUSIONS

Prostatic stromal-cell cultures are now widely employed by a large number of investigators for a diverse array of experimental purposes. While further refinement is required to obtain model systems that fully mimic in vivo processes, the availability of stromal- and epithelial-cell cultures provides a valuable resource for studying normal prostatic biology as well as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and cancer.

Cell lineage characteristics of human prostatic stromal cells cultured in vitro

BACKGROUND

An in vitro model of prostatic stromal cells suitable for experimental studies of the pathogenesis of BPH is still lacking. We therefore standardized the isolation, cultivation, and characterization of human prostatic stromal cell lineages.

METHODS

Stromal cells were isolated from a surgical specimen of BPH. Using antibodies specific for either epithelial or stromal cells of the human prostate, the isolated cells were morphologically and immunohistochemically characterized. Viability and functional activity were assessed by proliferation assays and stimulation experiments. Gene expression was monitored by RT-PCR.

RESULTS

In early passages (P8), cells showed a high purity (>/=98%) for stromal markers; about 60% displayed the characteristics of fibroblasts, and the remaining 40% were classified as smooth muscle cells. In late passages (P20), the proportion of muscle cells declined to 10%. Stimulation experiments including basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) resulted in enhanced proliferation, whereas dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrogen, and flutamide did not influence proliferation. Gene expression studies demonstrated a positive signal for androgen receptor and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF).

CONCLUSIONS

Prostatic stromal cells can be propagated several times and show karyotypic stability for up to 18 subculture experiments. The ratio of myoid and fibroblastic cells can be used for standardization of cell cultures with stable characteristics.