In vitro-Untersuchungen zur Induktion der neuroendokrinen Zelldifferenzierung beim Prostata-Karzinom

Background: Under the influence of androgens, the prostate differentiates into a stromal, a secretory and a non-secretory epithelial compartment during puberty. The secretion can be monitored morphologically and immunohistochemically by the appearance of secretory marker proteins and typical neuroendocrine marker proteins. The differentiated state of non-secretory basal and of neuroendocrine cells is less clearly identified. Methods: Based on the so called “dual stem cell hypothesis” (origin of secretory and basal epithelial cells from urogenital sinus epithelium; origin of neuroendocrine cells from neural crest-derived progenitor cells), we have studied the lokalisation and expression of secretory marker protein (PSA) and neuroendocrine marker protein (CgA, NSE) in nonstimulated and IL-1ß- or cAMP-stimulated LNCaP-prostate cancer cells, to develop neuroendocrine features under such a treatment in vitro. Results and Discussion: Whereas typical secretory marker proteins where found in the secretory prostate cancer cells, we found no typical neuroendocrine marker protein in the prostate cancer cells, wether in the non-stimulated, nor in the stimulated ones. Conclusion: Our results argue against the expression of neuroendocrine substances in androgen responsive prostate secretory cells.