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Videoimaging of prostatic stromal‐cell contraction: An in vitro model for studying drug effects
Author(s) -
Corvin Stefan,
Bösch Simone T.,
Eder Iris,
Thurnher Martin,
Bartsch Georg,
Klocker Helmut
Publication year - 1998
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(19981201)37:4<209::aid-pros1>3.0.co;2-u
Subject(s) - doxazosin , stromal cell , hyperplasia , contraction (grammar) , prostate , contractility , phenylephrine , in vitro , medicine , endocrinology , cell culture , cell , chemistry , andrology , biology , biochemistry , cancer , blood pressure , genetics
Abstract BACKGROUND Stromal‐cell contractility is known to play an important role in the development of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An in vitro model of single‐cell contraction was developed to investigate the effect of α 1 ‐adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists. METHODS Human prostatic stromal cells were isolated from prostatectomy and cystoprostatectomy specimens. The cells were cultured in a selective medium supplemented with growth factors and steroid hormones. The culture flasks were coated with a viscous agent to allow cell contraction. Contractions were visualized by means of a cell‐culture microscope fitted with a time‐lapse video system. For quantitative analysis, the percentage of contracting cells was evaluated. RESULTS Nineteen percent of the cells were found to contract without stimulation. Following incubation with doxazosin (10 nM, 100 nM, and 1 mM), there was a slight dose‐dependent decrease in the number of spontaneously contracting cells, whereas adrenergic stimulation using 10 μM of phenylephrine led to a significant increase in the percentage of contracting cells (55%). Following incubation with 100 nM of doxazosin, the phenylephrine‐induced effect was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS This simple in vitro model of cell contraction in the prostate provides a useful means of investigating drug effects on prostatic stromal cells. Prostate 37:209–214, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.