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Characterization of subepithelial interstitial cells in normal and pathological human prostate
Thomas Gevaert1, Evelyne Lerut, Steven Joniau
1Laboratory of Experimental Urology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pathology, AZ Klina, Brasschaat, Belgium.
Histopathology
|February 28, 2014
Summary
This study identifies distinct subepithelial stromal cell types in the normal prostate. These cells undergo significant phenotypical changes in benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- The subepithelial (SE) stromal microenvironment plays a crucial role in prostate tissue homeostasis.
- Understanding the cellular composition of the SE region is essential for elucidating disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the diverse SE stromal cell populations in normal human prostate.
- To investigate phenotypic alterations in SE stromal cells associated with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa).
Main Methods:
- Prostatectomy specimens from normal, BPH, and PCa tissues were analyzed.
- Morphology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy were employed.
- Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical phenotyping of SE stromal cells was performed.
Main Results:
- Normal prostate SE regions contain interstitial Cajal-like cells and spindle-shaped myoid cells.
- These cells exhibit distinct mesenchymal and myoid cell marker expression.
- BPH and PCa show altered SE stromal cell composition and direct tumor-stromal cell contacts in PCa.
Conclusions:
- The human prostate SE region harbors multiple distinct stromal cell types.
- Significant disease-specific changes in SE interstitial cell organization and phenotype occur in BPH and PCa.
