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The accumulation of versican in the nodules of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Author(s) -
True Lawrence D.,
Hawley Sarah,
Norwood Thomas H.,
Braun Kathleen R.,
Evanko Stephen P.,
Chan Christina K.,
LeBaron Richard C.,
Wight Thomas N.
Publication year - 2008
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.20861
Subject(s) - versican , stromal cell , hyperplasia , parenchyma , immunohistochemistry , stroma , extracellular matrix , proteoglycan , prostate , pathology , benign prostatic hyperplasia (bph) , chemistry , medicine , biochemistry , cancer
BACKGROUND Proteoglycans, a complex group of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, are elevated in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Versican is a stromal proteoglycan present in prostate tissue. Versican expression is elevated in tissues with increased proliferation. Based on these observations, we determined the extent and distribution of versican expression in prostates with BPH. METHODS The involvement of versican in BPH nodules was compared with levels in non‐nodular transition (TZ) and peripheral zone (PZ) tissues from 18 human prostate glands using immunohistochemistry, Northern blots and/or QRTPCR to localize versican and quantify versican mRNA transcript levels, and Western blots to assess gene product levels. RESULTS Increased versican immunoreactivity was observed in the stroma of BPH nodules. Higher steady state levels of versican variants V0, V1, and V3 mRNA transcript and gene product were detected in the nodular tissues than in the non‐nodular TZ or PZ parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that versican may play a role in nodule formation in BPH. Prostate 69: 149–158, 2009. © 2008 Wiley–Liss, Inc.