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Cellular differentiation in prostatic explant cultures: assessed by electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis
J Halgunset1, K E Tvedt, G Kopstad
1Department of Pathology, University of Trondheim, Norway.
The Prostate
|January 1, 1992
Summary
X-ray microanalysis (XRMA) successfully studied human prostate explant cultures, revealing calcium in secretory granules. This method supports studying the secretory phenotype in vitro, aiding research into prostatic epithelium differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
Background:
- Human prostate explant cultures are valuable models for studying epithelial cell biology.
- Previous in vivo studies indicated calcium, magnesium, and zinc colocalization in prostatic secretory granules.
- Understanding in vitro models is crucial for elucidating cellular differentiation processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the suitability of X-ray microanalysis (XRMA) for studying human prostate explant cultures.
- To investigate the elemental composition of intracytoplasmic granules in these cultures.
- To assess the in vitro support of secretory phenotype in prostatic epithelium.
Main Methods:
- Culturing human prostate explants on Formvar film.
- Employing conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
- Utilizing X-ray microanalysis (XRMA) on freeze-dried cryosections of the cultured cells.
Main Results:
- Formvar film supported cell adherence and outgrowth, maintaining morphological characteristics.
- TEM identified intracytoplasmic granules resembling secretory vesicles.
- XRMA detected significant calcium sequestration in electron-dense granules, but not magnesium or zinc.
Conclusions:
- The established XRMA method is well-suited for analyzing human prostate explant cultures.
- The in vitro model supports certain aspects of the secretory phenotype, evidenced by calcium localization.
- XRMA can be a valuable tool for assessing secretory differentiation under varied culture conditions.