Keratinocyte growth factor functions in epithelial induction during seminal vesicle development

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Developmental biology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Seminal vesicle (SV) development is regulated by androgens and involves epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.
• Paracrine factors are hypothesized to mediate androgen signaling from mesenchyme to epithelium.
• Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a paracrine factor produced by mesenchymal cells that acts on epithelial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) in androgen-dependent seminal vesicle (SV) development.
• To determine if KGF acts as a mediator of androgen signaling during SV morphogenesis.

Main Methods:

• Detection of KGF transcript in mouse SVs using RT-PCR and Northern blot.
• Organ culture of neonatal mouse SVs with or without KGF-neutralizing antibody.
• Assessment of SV growth, branching morphogenesis, and epithelial proliferation/differentiation.
• Substitution of testosterone with KGF in culture medium to evaluate growth effects.

Main Results:

• KGF transcript was detected in neonatal mouse SVs and cultured mesenchymal cells.
• Neutralizing KGF significantly inhibited SV growth and branching morphogenesis.
• Inhibition of SV development was linked to reduced epithelial proliferation and differentiation.
• KGF substitution partially mimicked testosterone's effect on SV growth.

Conclusions:

• Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is present during seminal vesicle morphogenesis.
• KGF functions as a key mediator of androgen-dependent SV development.
• KGF signaling is essential for epithelial proliferation and differentiation during SV development.