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Relaxin becomes upregulated during prostate cancer progression to androgen independence and is negatively regulated by androgens
Author(s) -
Thompson Vanessa C.,
Morris Tanis G.W.,
Cochrane Dawn R.,
Cavanagh John,
Wafa Latif A.,
Hamilton Tatyana,
Wang Shunyou,
Fazli Ladan,
Gleave Martin E.,
Nelson Colleen C.
Publication year - 2006
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/pros.20423
Subject(s) - prostate cancer , relaxin , lncap , androgen , prostate , endocrinology , medicine , tissue microarray , angiogenesis , prostatectomy , cancer , cancer research , hormone
BACKGROUND Relaxin is a potent peptide hormone normally secreted by the prostate. This study characterized relaxin expression during prostate cancer progression to androgen independence (AI), and in response to androgens. METHODS The prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP, was assayed by microarrays and confirmatory Northern analysis to assess changes in relaxin levels due to androgen treatment and in LNCaP xenografts following castration. Relaxin protein levels were examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue microarrays of human prostate cancer samples following androgen ablation. RESULTS Relaxin levels decreased in a time and concentration‐dependent manner due to androgens in vitro, and increased in xenografts post‐castration. Relaxin increased in radical prostatectomy specimens after 6 months of androgen ablation and in AI tumors, was highest in bone metastases. CONCLUSIONS Relaxin is negatively regulated by androgens in vitro and in vivo, which correlates to clinical prostate cancer specimens following androgen ablation. The role of relaxin in angiogenesis and tissue remodeling suggests it may contribute to prostate cancer progression. Prostate © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.