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Updated: May 14, 2026
Formation of Human Prostate Epithelium Using Tissue Recombination of Rodent Urogenital Sinus Mesenchyme and Human Stem Cells
Published on: June 22, 2013
Role of CEACAM1 and CEACAM20 in an in vitro model of prostate morphogenesis
Hui Zhang1, Andreas Eisenried, Wolfgang Zimmermann
1City of Hope Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Duarte, California, USA.
Abstract:
CEACAM20, a novel member of the CEACAM1 gene family with expression limited to the lumen of small intestine, testes, and prostate, is co-expressed with CEACAM1 in adult prostate tissue and down-regulated to the same extent as CEACAM1 in prostate cancer. Since prostate cancer often involves loss of epithelial lumen formation, we hypothesized that CEACAM20 and CEACAM1 play important roles in lumen formation of normal prostate epithelium. When prostate cells were grown on Matrigel as a source of extracellular matrix (ECM), they differentiated into acinar structures with single tubules and well-defined lumina closely resembling embryonic prostate organoids. Confocal microscopic analysis revealed restriction of CEACAM20 to acini and CEACAM1 to tubule structures, respectively. Inhibition of CEACAM1 with antibodies or soluble CEACAM1 or antisense oligonucleotides inhibited tubule formation by over 50% while the remaining tubules were stunted. Inhibition of CEACAM20 with antisense oligonucleotides completely inhibited tubule formation and stunted the growth of acini. We conclude that CEACAM20 and CEACAM1 not only mark the lumina of adult prostate tissue but also play a critical role in the vitro generation of prostate organoids.
Insights
Carcinoma antigen 20 (CEACAM20) and CEACAM1 are crucial for prostate organoid lumen formation. Their down-regulation in prostate cancer highlights their role in maintaining normal prostate epithelium structure.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Urology
Background:
- Carcinoma antigen 20 (CEACAM20) is a CEACAM1 family member expressed in the small intestine, testes, and prostate.
- CEACAM20 and CEACAM1 are co-expressed in adult prostate tissue and downregulated in prostate cancer.
- Prostate cancer often involves the loss of epithelial lumen formation, suggesting a role for CEACAMs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CEACAM20 and CEACAM1 in the lumen formation of normal prostate epithelium.
- To understand the function of CEACAM20 and CEACAM1 in the in vitro generation of prostate organoids.
Main Methods:
- Prostate cells were cultured on Matrigel to induce differentiation into acinar structures.
- Confocal microscopy was used to analyze the localization of CEACAM20 and CEACAM1.
- Inhibition of CEACAM1 and CEACAM20 was achieved using antibodies and antisense oligonucleotides.
Main Results:
- CEACAM20 localized to acini, while CEACAM1 localized to tubule structures in differentiated prostate organoids.
- Inhibition of CEACAM1 reduced tubule formation by over 50% and caused stunting.
- Inhibition of CEACAM20 completely blocked tubule formation and stunted acinar growth.
Conclusions:
- CEACAM20 and CEACAM1 are not only markers of adult prostate lumina but are critical for in vitro prostate organoid generation.
- These findings suggest a significant role for CEACAM20 and CEACAM1 in maintaining prostate epithelial structure and lumen integrity.
