Primary explant culture: an in vitro model of the human prostate.

Human prostate tissue gave rise to essentially pure cultures of basal cells in vitro. Careful analysis by phase-contrast microscopy and photography suggested that these cells attempt to differentiate into secretory acinar cells. This was confirmed by immunocytochemical analysis for prekeratin which is present only in basal cells in situ and for prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate-specific antigen, and prostate fluid antigen, which are present only in secretory acinar cells in situ.