硼替佐米增强前列腺癌细胞对NK细胞介导细胞杀伤作用的敏感性

目的:探讨硼替佐米是否能够增强前列腺癌细胞对NK细胞介导杀伤作用的敏感性,以及是否在不同类型的人前列腺癌细胞系中有相似的作用。方法:以激素依赖性的前列腺癌细胞株LNCaP和激素非依赖性的前列腺癌细胞株DU145为模型,不同浓度(0、5、10、15、20、25nmol/L)硼替佐米处理细胞后,CCK-8法检测肿瘤细胞的增殖,Annexin V/PI法检测细胞凋亡率。结果:15、20、25nmol/L硼替佐米处理DU145细胞48、72h后,各处理组细胞的增殖率分别为(82.79±2.04)%、(73.59±2.95)%、(74.16±6.16)%和(71.24±5.30)%、(51.20±2.91)%、(38.02±2.67)%,同样处理LNCaP细胞后,各处理组细胞的增殖率分别为(77.04±7.74)%、(42.61±6.62)%、(23.85±6.04)%和(36.45±7.02)%、(14.94±5.76)%、(11.65±5.87)%。与对照组相比,硼替佐米强烈抑制两种细胞系的增殖(P0.05)。15、20、25nmol/L硼替佐米处理DU145细胞24h后,DU145细胞的凋亡率分别为(14.41±1.32)%、(16.13±1.55)%、(14.48±1.42)%,而在LNCaP细胞,20、25nmol/L硼替佐米处理24h后,凋亡率为(12.77±1.28)%和(14.84±1.65)%,与对照组相比有统计学差异(P0.05),DU145细胞对硼替佐米诱导的凋亡作用较LNCaP细胞更加敏感。但是,在短期分析中硼替佐米不能致敏两种细胞系对NK细胞介导的杀伤作用。在长效分析中,用硼替佐米处理肿瘤细胞后,20nmol/L硼替佐米+NK组诱导的DU145细胞和LNCaP细胞凋亡率分别为(41.83±5.06)%和(30.31±3.62)%,较单独应用硼替佐米或者NK细胞更高(P0.05)。结论:硼替佐米能够应用于致敏前列腺癌细胞对NK细胞介导的杀伤作用的敏感性,提高当前前列腺癌的治疗水平。而且此治疗策略对雄激素非依赖性的前列腺癌患者更有效。     

硼替佐米联合丙戊酸钠对胰腺癌细胞株SW1990的生长抑制作用

目的 探讨硼替佐米联合丙戊酸钠对人胰腺癌细胞株SW1990的协同凋亡作用及其机制.方法 以浓度为100 nmol/L的硼替佐米联合3 mmol/L的丙戊酸钠干预SW1990细胞株,采用噻唑蓝(MTT)法检测细胞增殖;膜联蛋白V(Annexin V)/碘化丙锭(PI)双染法检测细胞早期凋亡;反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测细胞凋亡因子生存素(Survivin)、半胱氨酰天冬氨酸特异性蛋白酶(Caspase)-3的mRNA表达水平;Western blot法检测Survivin、Caspase-3前体(pro-Caspase-3)、裂解的Caspase-3(cleaved-Caspase-3)蛋白表达水平.结果 硼替佐米单药对SW1990的生长抑制作用较弱,而丙戊酸钠单药可有效抑制SW1990细胞的增殖,硼替佐米单药组干预SW1990细胞48 h的早期凋亡率为(13.47 ±2.21)％,而丙戊酸钠单药组为(26.73±2.36)％,两药联合组为(47.06±2.76)％.硼替佐米单药组Survivin mRNA及蛋白水平表达无明显改变、而丙戊酸钠单药组及两药联合组的Survivin、Caspase mRNA及蛋白表达水平均明显下调,cleaved-Caspase-3蛋白表达水平明显上调,各项检测指标联合用药组与单药组比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),且两药联合有协同作用,可提高SW1990对硼替佐米的敏感性.结论 硼替佐米联合丙戊酸钠对诱导人胰腺癌细胞株SW1990凋亡有协同增效作用,其机制可能与下调Survivin的表达水平相关.     

黏着斑激酶表达下调对肝癌细胞黏附迁移侵袭行为的影响

目的研究下调黏着斑激酶（FAK）表达对人肝癌细胞HCC-LM3黏附迁移侵袭行为的影响及可能涉及的机制。 方法根据处理方法不同,将人肝癌细胞HCC-LM3分为未处理组（肿瘤细胞未经处理）、对照组（肿瘤细胞转染空载体,FAK表达未改变）和FAK-shRNA组（肿瘤细胞稳定低表达FAK）。分别采用细胞黏附实验、划痕实验、Transwell实验检测3组肝癌细胞的黏附、迁移、侵袭能力,Western blotting检测细胞黏附侵袭相关蛋白paxillin、p130Cas以及基质金属蛋白酶MMP-2与MMP-9蛋白的表达及活化情况。 结果FAK表达下调后,细胞黏附能力显著受到抑制,细胞迁移能力和侵袭能力均明显下降;细胞黏附分子p130Cas、paxillin的蛋白总量表达无明显改变,而磷酸化水平明显降低,其活化形式p-paxillin和p-p130Cas表达则明显受到抑制;MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达水平则在下调FAK表达后明显降低（P<0.01）。 结论在人肝癌细胞HCC-LM3中,下调FAK表达可以影响肝癌细胞黏附迁移侵袭能力,其机制可能是通过调节相关细胞黏附分子的表达或活化来实现。     

沉默前列腺特异性膜抗原促进前列腺癌LNCAP细胞上皮-间质转化及迁移、侵袭的研究

目的 利用RNAi技术沉默LNCAP细胞中前列腺特异性膜抗原（PSMA）表达并检测表达情况,检测沉默PSMA后LNCAP细胞迁移及侵袭等生物学行为的变化情况,以及LNCAP细胞中上皮-间质转化标志蛋白的变化情况。方法 培养LNCAP细胞,分为si-PSMA组,阴性对照（negative control siRNA）组,抑制剂LY294002组和LY294002+si-PSMA组,采用qRT-PCR和Western blot技术检测沉默PSMA后LNCAP细胞中PSMA的mRNA和蛋白表达情况,通过Transwell小室穿透实验检测LNCAP细胞迁移及侵袭能力改变,通过Western blot蛋白印迹法检测E-cadherin、β-cadherin、vimentin,snail等细胞上皮-间质转化标志蛋白的表达情况以及p-Akt(ser473)蛋白表达情况。结果 与阴性对照组相比,si-PSMA组PSMA的mRNA和蛋白表达水平都明显降低（P<0.05）,Transwell结果显示迁移及侵袭细胞增多（P<0.01）,LY294002组细胞迁移及侵袭下调（P<0.05）,...     

RBBP4对前列腺癌细胞生长和侵袭能力的影响

目的：研究视网膜母细胞瘤结合蛋白4(retinoblastoma binding protein4,RBBP4)对前列腺癌细胞侵袭、迁移、增殖及肿瘤生长等生物学行为的影响.方法构建 RBBP4过表达慢病毒载体转染及未转染 LNCaP、DU145细胞株,分别通过 Transwell 实验、Wound healing 实验、CCK8及流式细胞技术检测前列腺癌细胞的侵袭、迁移、增殖和凋亡,异体肿瘤种植模型研究RBBP4对前列腺癌细胞成瘤能力的影响.结果 RBBP4上调表达明显促进前列腺癌细胞的迁移(LNCaP：RBBP4 vs Ctrl ＝133．8±14．1 vs 48．6±11．9;DU145：RBBP4 vs Ctrl ＝118．2±10．5 vs 62．3±13．0,P ＜0．001)和侵袭(LNCaP：RBBP4 vs Ctrl ＝252．0±16．3 vs 82．5±12．6;DU145：RBBP4 vs Ctrl ＝232．8±9．2 vs 61．0±8．3,P ＜0．001)能力;RBBP4高表达可以刺激 DU145前列腺癌细胞的增殖并显著加快 DU145细胞移植瘤的生长速度(P ＜0．01).结论 RBBP4能刺激前列腺癌细胞的侵袭、迁移,促进前列腺癌的形成及生长.     

靶向沉默维生素D受体基因对前列腺癌细胞迁移及侵袭性的影响

目的:探讨小干扰RNA靶向沉默维生素D受体(VDR)对前列腺癌PC-3细胞生物学行为的影响。方法:构建VDR-shRNA慢病毒载体,用RT-PCR和Western印迹法分别检测VDR的mRNA和蛋白表达水平;通过细胞划痕愈合实验和Transwell小室检测VDR被沉默后的PC-3细胞迁移能力和侵袭性的变化。结果:VDR-shRNA质粒显著干扰VDR表达,并成功筛选VDR-shRNA干扰稳定的细胞株;细胞划痕实验结果显示划痕愈合率VDR干扰组为59%明显低于空白对照组73.6%和LV3阴性对照组的77.8%,组间差异有显著性(P0.05),空白对照组和LV3阴性对照组组间差异无显著性(P0.05)。Transwell小室实验显示VDR干扰组透膜细胞数量明显低于空白对照组和LV3阴性对照组约为50%,细胞组间差异有显著性(P0.05),空白对照组和LV3阴性对照组组间差异无显著性(P0.05)。VDR干扰组细胞的迁移和侵袭能力明显低于对照组细胞。结论:VDR基因表达水平能影响前列腺癌细胞的迁移及侵袭能力,VDR低表达可致前列腺癌细胞迁移及侵袭能力下降。     

血管扩张刺激磷蛋白的表达与前列腺癌转移的关系

目的:研究血管扩张刺激磷蛋白(VASP)与前列腺癌侵袭转移及预后的关系。方法:将VASP shRNA慢病毒和对照shRNA慢病毒分别感染前列腺癌PC3细胞,采用跨膜迁移实验检测PC3细胞的侵袭能力;采用免疫组化法检测56例前列腺癌患者癌组织中VASP的表达,并根据VASP表达差异及患者前列腺癌根治术后随访结果进行生存分析比较。结果:与shRNA慢病毒对照组及空白对照组相比,VASP shRNA慢病毒可抑制前列腺癌PC3细胞VASP的表达,并且显著降低PC3细胞的侵袭能力(P0.05);对56例前列腺癌患者的生存分析表明,与VASP阴性表达组相比,VASP阳性表达组及VASP强阳性表达组患者生化复发时间显著缩短(P0.05),后两者之间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:VASP参与调控前列腺癌PC3细胞的侵袭能力;VASP蛋白表达差异与前列腺癌患者的预后相关。     

姜黄素调控miR-199a-3p基因抑制前列腺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的研究

目的探讨姜黄素调控miR-199a-3p的基因表达对前列腺癌C4-2细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法将miR-199a-3p抑制物及阴性对照转染至C4-2细胞中,并分别标记为anti-miR-199a-3p组和anti-miR-con组;将仅加入脂质体的C4-2细胞标记为对照组。运用MTT法检测通过姜黄素(0、20、40、80μmol/L)处理的C4-2细胞的增殖情况。40μmol/L姜黄素处理C4-2细胞后,Transwell法检测细胞的迁移和侵袭能力;qRT-PCR检测细胞的miR-199a-3p表达量。将inhibitor NC、miR-199a-3p inhibitor转染至C4-2细胞中,再用40μmol/L姜黄素处理48 h,采用MTT法、Transwell法检测各组细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭情况;Western blot检测各组C4-2细胞中基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP-9)、β-catenin、Cyclin D1和c-Myc的蛋白表达量。结果与对照组比较,姜黄素能明显抑制C4-2细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭(P<0.05)。姜黄素(40μmol/L)处理后,C4-2细胞中miR-199a-3p的表达量显著增加(P<0.05)。抑制miR-199a-3p的表达,可逆转姜黄素对C4-2细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的抑制作用(P<0.05)。使用姜黄素处理miR-199a-3p低表达的C4-2细胞后,与anti-miR-con组相比,anti-miR-199a-3p组C4-2细胞的MMP-2、MMP-9的表达量显著增加(P<0.05),β-catenin、Cyclin D1和c-Myc蛋白表达量均显著增加(P<0.05)。结论姜黄素可上调miR-199a-3p的表达,从而抑制前列腺癌C4-2细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

雷公藤内酯醇单独及联合硼替佐米作用于PC3细胞的研究

目的:观察雷公藤内酯醇(triptolide,TPL)单独及联合硼替佐米(bortezomib,BZM)对激素抵抗性前列腺癌PC3细胞的体外生长和凋亡的影响。方法:选用递增浓度的TPL和BZM单独及联合作用于PC3细胞,MTT法检测PC3细胞生长抑制率;流式细胞仪检测PC3细胞凋亡;RT-PCR分析血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)mRNA的表达。结果:TPL、BZM单独对PC3细胞生长均有抑制作用且呈时间和剂量依赖性。相同浓度时,TPL单独作用强于BZM(P<0.05),两药联合可明显提高细胞生长抑制率(P<0.05);流式细胞检测发现,联合用药引起细胞凋亡也明显高于单独用药(P<0.05);TPL和BZM均能下调VEGFmRNA的表达,联合用药下调作用更加明显(P<0.05)。结论:不论是单独还是联合应用TPL和BZM均可抑制PC3细胞增殖并诱导其凋亡,两药联合作用明显强于单独用药,两者作用有协同性。     

硼替佐米对Raji细胞、Jurkat细胞增殖及凋亡的影响

目的:探讨硼替佐米对Raj i细胞、J ur kat细胞增殖及凋亡的影响及作用。方法:使用MTT(噻唑蓝)实验观察不同浓度硼替佐米对Raj i及Jurkat细胞增殖的改变;使用流式细胞仪,Annexi n V和PI双染色,监测细胞凋亡。结果:硼替佐米对Jurkat细胞、Raj i细胞增殖的抑制作用及诱导凋亡存在剂量依赖性和时间依赖性。结论:硼替佐米抑制Jurkat细胞、Raj i细胞的增殖,诱导其凋亡,呈剂量依赖性和时间依赖性。     

FOXN2在前列腺癌组织的表达及对前列腺癌细胞生物学的影响

探讨双头框蛋白N2（FOXN2）在前列腺癌（PCa）组织中的表达以及对PCa细胞生物学的影响。方法 选取宜宾市第二人民医院50例接受手术治疗的PCa患者的标本及癌旁组织,通过RT-qPCR实验和Western blot实验分别检测PCa组织和癌旁组织中的FOXN2 mRNA及蛋白的表达水平,并分析PCa组织中FOXN2与患者临床病理特征的相关性。通过RT-qPCR实验检测正常前列腺细胞RWPE-1、PCa细胞PC-3、DU145、LNCaP中FOXN2 mRNA的表达水平。选取PC-3细胞为研究对象,分为FOXN2过表达组、空载体对照组以及对照组,分别通过MTT实验、流式细胞实验、Transwell实验以及Western blot实验检测各组细胞增殖、凋亡、迁移和侵袭情况以及相关蛋白Bax、CyclinD1、MMP-2的表达量。结果 与癌旁组织相比,FOXN2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）,与TCGA数据库中结果一致。FOXN2低表达与PCa患者淋巴转移、TNM分期以及Gleason评分有关（P=0.003、0.005、0.002）。与人正常前列腺细胞RWPE-1相比,FOXN2在PCa细胞PC-3、DU145、LNCaP中均呈现低表达（P<0.05）,其中PC-3细胞中表达量最低。与对照组和空载体对照组相比,FOXN2过表达组的PC-3细胞在作用24 、48 、72 h后增殖能力显著下降（F=290.400、57.735、113.014,P<0.05）,CyclinD1蛋白表达水平显著下降（P<0.05）;PC-3细胞的凋亡率显著升高（P<0.05）,Bax蛋白表达水平显著升高（P<0.05）;PC-3细胞的迁移和侵袭能力显著下降（P<0.05）,MMP-2蛋白表达水平显著下降（P<0.05）。结论 FOXN2在PCa组织及细胞中低表达,过表达FOXN2可抑制PCa细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭,并促进细胞凋亡。     

MiR-29a通过调节HuR影响前列腺癌细胞的生物学行为

目的 研究前列腺癌中miR-29a 对HuR表达的调节，进而影响细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭、凋亡。方法 通过实时荧光定量（qRT-PCR）和免疫印迹法（Western blot）检测在正常前列腺上皮细胞RWPE-1和激素非依赖性前列腺癌细胞PC-3内miR-29a、人抗原R(HuR) mRNA和蛋白的表达水平；miR-29a mimics(模拟剂)、inhibitor（抑制剂）和NC miRNA(对照剂)转染PC-3细胞48 h后检测miR-29a、HuR mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。细胞增殖试剂盒(CCK-8)、迁移和侵袭实验（Transwell小室）、流式细胞术分别检测PC-3细胞被转染后细胞增殖、迁移侵袭、凋亡的改变。结果 与RWPE-1细胞相比，PC-3细胞中miR-29a的表达下调，HuR mRNA和蛋白的上升（P<0.05）。与对照组相比，miR-29a mimics(模拟剂)、inhibitor（抑制剂）转染PC 3细胞后HuR mRNA无改变，但是能够改变HuR蛋白的表达（P<0.05）。MiR-29a能够抑制细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭，促进细胞凋亡（P<0.05）。结论 在前列腺癌PC-3细胞中，miR-29a通过调节HuR蛋白的表达，进而对细胞增殖、迁移、侵袭、凋亡产生影响。     

Changes in gap junctional connexin isoforms during prostate cancer progression

BACKGROUND: Connexins have their traditional function as part of gap junction (GJ) structures, but have recently been shown to have GJ-independent roles. Although GJs and their connexin subunits are thought to be down-regulated in cancer, depending on the connexin examined, many times the expression level is preserved or even increased. This is further apparent by the importance of GJs in "bystander effects" of radiation and viral targeting treatments. METHODS: We surveyed connexin isoforms in prostate cancer cell lines and tissue with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Upon modulating GJ function, we observed prostate epithelial cell behaviors. RESULTS: Advanced cells within PC-3 and LNCaP prostate cancer progression models exhibit elevated connexin 26 (Cx26) levels-a trend validated in clinical samples. When GJs were inhibited, adhesion was not affected, but invasion and migration were strikingly decreased. A link between the expression of Cx26 and integrin adhesion-linked functions are suggested by Cx26's direct interaction with focal adhesion kinase (FAK). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a novel mechanism for adhesion regulation by a GJ-independent Cx26 function that correlates with prostate disease progression. The increased Cx26 expression during prostate cancer progression plays a role in adhesion regulation possibly through its interaction with FAK.     

Inhibition of cortactin and SIRT1 expression attenuates migration and invasion of prostate cancer DU145 cells

Objectives: Cortactin is overexpressed in various types of cancer and enhances cell motility. It has been recently reported that silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 interacts with cortactin and promotes cell migration. Here, we examined the role of cortactin and silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 in migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells. Methods: The cortactin expression levels in DU145, LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cells, and in PrEC normal human prostate epithelial cells were evaluated by western blot analysis. In DU145 cells, the expression of cortactin or silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 was inhibited by small interfering RNA, and the effects of their knockdown on migration and invasion were examined by cell migration and invasion assays. To determine the localization of cortactin and silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1, western blot and immunofluorescence microscopic analyses were carried out. The functional interaction between silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 and cortactin was also studied by in vivo acetylation assay. Results: The protein expression of cortactin was significantly higher in DU145 cells than in other cell lines. Knockdown of cortactin or silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 expression inhibited both migration and invasion of DU145 cells. Similarly to cortactin, silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 was found to be predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm. Finally, the knockdown of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 expression increased the acetylation level of cortactin. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that inhibition of cortactin or silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 expression attenuates migration and invasion of DU145 cells and this could represent a promising strategy to regulate metastasis of prostate cancer.     

Expression of focal adhesion kinase in normal and pathologic human prostate tissues

BACKGROUND: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) regulates multiple cellular processes including growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and apoptosis. In tumor cells, including prostate adenocarcinoma, FAK overexpression has been linked to cancer progression. METHODS: By using immunohistochemistry, FAK expression was investigated in human prostate specimens. RESULTS: FAK was expressed predominantly in the basal layer of normal prostate epithelium but not in secretory epithelium. FAK was expressed at similar levels in all stages of prostate tumorigenesis, including preinvasive carcinoma and metastatic disease. Elevated FAK expression was observed at the earliest stages of transformation and expression continued during cancer progression. CONCLUSION: Given the established role for FAK in the regulation of integrin signaling, we suggest that the sustained elevated levels of FAK expression during prostate tumor cell progression is consistent with a role for FAK in the development and maintenance of prostate carcinoma.     

CXC-chemokines stimulate invasion and chemotaxis in prostate carcinoma cells through the CXCR2 receptor.

BACKGROUND: Metastasis of prostate carcinoma requires invasion through the basement membrane, a thin extracellular matrix that underlies the epithelial cells, which must be breached by tumor cells invading into surrounding tissue. The CXC-chemokines, which have been shown to promote the migration of neutrophils and carcinoma cells, are candidates to influence prostate carcinoma-cell invasion. METHODS: CXC-chemokines were examined for the ability to stimulate prostate cell line PC3 invasion in vitro through a reconstituted basement membrane and long-term migration and short-term adhesion to laminin, a major component of the basement membrane. RESULTS: PC3 cells responded to IL-8 and GROalpha with a 1. 6-2-fold increase in invasion through reconstituted basement membrane. A corresponding 2-3-fold increase in chemotaxis toward IL-8 and GROa was seen on laminin. Anti-CXCR2 antibody inhibited IL-8-stimulated migration. Expression levels of the beta(1) integrins were not changed by IL-8, and alpha(6beta1) integrin was used for both stimulated and baseline migration. In addition to the increases in migration and invasion, 2-6-fold transient increases in adhesion on laminin were seen with both IL-8 and GROalpha. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the CXC-chemokines stimulate migration and invasion in part by altering the activation state of the beta(1) integrins. The CXC-chemokines act on prostate carcinoma cells through the CXCR2 receptor to promote behavior important for metastasis, and as such may be important in prostate carcinoma progression and metastasis.     

ITGB1通过激活MAPK/ERK通路促进前列腺癌细胞侵袭

目的 研究ITGB1基因在前列腺癌中的表达情况及对前列腺癌细胞侵袭行为的影响和可能作用机制.方法 实时荧光定量PCR检测ITGB1在前列腺癌标本和前列腺癌细胞株PC3和LNCaP中的表达水平.设计小干扰RNA干扰ITGB1的表达,观察干扰效率以及干扰后对前列腺癌PC3和LNCaP细胞的迁移和侵袭能力的影响.结果 ITGB1 mRNA在前列腺癌标本中表达水平上调(t =5.12,P＜0.05),在前列腺癌细胞株LNCaP和PC3中表达水平也较正常前列腺上皮高(P＜0.01).siRNA成功干扰ITGB1表达后,划痕实验显示,前列腺癌Lncap和PC3细胞迁移能力显著下降.Transwell侵袭实验显示干扰ITGB1后,前列腺癌细胞的侵袭能力较对照组也显著下降.GCBI基因网络分析显示,ITGB1与MAPK通路具有显著相关性.进一步行蛋白质免疫印迹杂交实验显示,干扰ITGB1后,MAPK通路中ERK蛋白和磷酸化的ERK的蛋白表达下降,并且下游MMP9蛋白水平也呈现下降.结论 ITGB1通过激活MAPK信号通路,促进前列腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭.     

Analysis of the inflammatory network in benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION: The complexity of acute and chronic inflammatory processes may either lead to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and/or prostate cancer. Obviously, various tissue cells are activated by chemokines via different chemotaxin receptors which then trigger subsequent processes in angiogenesis, cellular growth, and extravasation as well as neoplasia. METHODS: Using the surgically obtained tissue of patients (n = 36) with BPH or prostate carcinoma (PCA), we studied among others the expression of chemokines (Rantes, IL-8), chemotaxin receptors (CXCR-3 and -4, CCR-3, CCR-5), of matrixmetalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9), of Toll-like (TL) receptors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 and of the inducible cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) by RT-PCR. Further support for the different properties of tissue from PCA was obtained using two different PCA cell lines (PC3 = androgen resistant cell) or LNCAP cells (androgen sensitive) with emphasis on IL-8, Il-6, and PGE(2) release. Cell lines were stimulated with either the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and lipopolysacharide (LPS) over time. In addition to cytokine release, the quantification of mRNA by lightcycler for cox-2, IL-6, and IL-8 was performed on these cell lines. RESULTS: Remarkable differences in expression were obtained by RT-PCR when BPH tissue versus PCA was analyzed. Expression of CXCR-1 after incubation with LPS and TNF-alpha showed time-dependent differences for androgen-sensitive LNCAP as compared to androgen-resistant PC-3 cells. TNF-alpha incubation leads to a time-dependent induction of cox-2 expression unlike to activation with LPS. Differences with regard to cox-2, IL-6, and IL-8 expression were seen by quantitative lightcycler analysis. Significant differences were also observed when TL receptors 4, 5, 7, and 9 were analyzed which were significantly expressed in BPH- as compared to PCA-tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Our data clearly demonstrate that various inflammatory and cell biological cascades are involved which either lead to BPH or can be linked to the development of PCA. The exact cell biological mechanisms may provide novel therapeutic options in the treatment of both diseases.