Apoptotic activity of doxazosin on prostate stroma in vitro is mediated through an autocrine expression of TGF-beta1

K Y Ilio1, I I Park, M R Pins

  • 1Department of Urology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

The Prostate
|August 9, 2001
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Doxazosin induces apoptosis in prostate cells via TGF-beta1. Blocking TGF-beta1 reversed Doxazosin

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Urology

Background:

  • Doxazosin, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, induces apoptosis in prostatic stromal cells.
  • The precise mechanism of Doxazosin-induced apoptosis in prostate cells was previously undefined.
  • This study investigated the role of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in Doxazosin's apoptotic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanism by which Doxazosin induces apoptosis in human prostate stromal cells.
  • To determine if the autocrine action of TGF-beta1 mediates Doxazosin's apoptotic effects.
  • To investigate the relationship between Doxazosin treatment, TGF-beta1 production, and apoptosis in prostate cells.

Main Methods:

  • Primary human prostate cell cultures were treated with varying Doxazosin concentrations (0-100 microM) for 3 days.
  • Apoptosis was quantified using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase labeling technique.
  • TGF-beta1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • Doxazosin (10 microM) significantly decreased prostate cell numbers by 68.4% and increased apoptosis by 64.7%.
  • The addition of TGF-beta1 antibody reversed Doxazosin-induced cell number reduction.
  • Doxazosin treatment elevated cellular TGF-beta1 production by 62.5%.

Conclusions:

  • Doxazosin-induced apoptosis in human prostate stromal cells is mediated by autocrine TGF-beta1 production.
  • TGF-beta1 plays a crucial role in the mechanism of Doxazosin's action on prostate cells.
  • These findings clarify the molecular pathway of Doxazosin's effects on prostatic stromal cells.