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Transforming growth factor β1 transduced mouse prostate reconstitutions: I. Induction of neuronal phenotypes
Author(s) -
Yang Guang,
Timme Terry L.,
Park SangHee,
Thompson Timothy C.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0045(19971101)33:3<151::aid-pros1>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - biology , prostate , cholinergic neuron , tyrosine hydroxylase , paracrine signalling , transforming growth factor , cholinergic , choline acetyltransferase , immunostaining , growth factor , catecholaminergic , endocrinology , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , immunohistochemistry , immunology , biochemistry , genetics , dopamine , receptor , cancer , catecholamine
BACKGROUND We previously showed that retroviral transduction of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF‐β1) induces focally hyperplastic lesions resembling benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and an increase in the number of ganglion‐like cells in the mouse prostate reconstitution (MPR) model in vivo. In the present study we further characterize the neuronal phenotypes induced by TGF‐β1 retroviral transduction in MPRs. METHODS Computer‐assisted morphometric analysis was used to evaluate neuronal density. Neuronal cell markers, including neurofilament, neuron‐specific enolase, tyrosine hydroxylase, choline acetyltransferase, L‐met enkaphaline, and serotonin, were detected by immunostaining. RESULTS A fourfold increase in neuronal density was observed in TGF‐β1 retrovirus‐transduced MPRs. The relative frequencies of neuronal subtypes remained similar, with catecholaminergic and cholinergic neurons presenting as the most abundant. We found no evidence of infection of neurons; therefore, increased neuronal density was likely due to paracrine activities. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that enforced TGF‐β1 expression leads to growth and/or survival of both catecholaminergic and cholinergic neuronal cells in mouse prostate reconstitutions. Prostate 33:151–156, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.