[Study of cell lines derived from benign hypertrophic prostate tissue]

Primary epithelial and fibroblast cells from benign hypertrophic prostate tissue were established. The prostate tissues were obtained by transurethral resection of the prostate or retropubic prostatectomy in patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy. Growth factors for cultured epithelial cells and fibroblasts were studied. The epithelial cells grew well in the WAJC-404 culture medium with insulin, epidermal growth factor and dexamethasone. Fibroblasts grew well in culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. The prostate tissue was stored at 4 degrees C for 7 days and no degenerative change in the stromal cells was seen during this period. Although epithelial cells did degenerate with the passage of time, epithelial cells cultured after storage for 4 days at 4 degrees C behaved similarly to those cultured immediately after being isolated. These primary cultures of epithelial cells and fibroblasts from hypertrophic prostate may be useful for various studies.