Nakada S Y, di Sant'Agnese P A, Moynes R A, Hiipakka R A, Liao S, Cockett A T, Abrahamsson P A
Department of Urology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester 14642.
Cancer Res. 1993 May 1;53(9):1967-70.
Neuroendocrine (NE) cells containing neurosecretory granules, rich in various peptide hormones and biogenic amines, are components of the human prostate epithelium and prostatic adenocarcinomas. Neuroendocrine differentiation in prostatic adenocarcinomas has been associated with a poor prognosis and, following androgen withdrawal therapy, tumor cell populations have been observed to become enriched with NE cells. We assessed androgen receptor (AR) expression in NE cells in benign and malignant prostatic tissue using double-labeling immunocytochemistry with validated monoclonal antibodies to the AR and to chromogranin A (a generic NE marker). Neuroendocrine cells in benign and malignant prostatic tissue generally showed nuclear staining with AR. Some distinct AR-negative nuclei were observed in normal NE cells. In prostatic adenocarcinomas with extensive NE differentiation, a subpopulation of AR-negative NE cells was demonstrated. In conclusion, benign and malignant prostatic tissue contain both AR-positive and AR-negative NE cells that may have significance in regards to androgen-independent tumor growth and tumor progression.
含有神经分泌颗粒、富含各种肽类激素和生物胺的神经内分泌（NE）细胞是人类前列腺上皮和前列腺腺癌的组成部分。前列腺腺癌中的神经内分泌分化与预后不良有关，并且在雄激素剥夺治疗后，已观察到肿瘤细胞群体中NE细胞增多。我们使用针对雄激素受体（AR）和嗜铬粒蛋白A（一种通用的NE标志物）的经过验证的单克隆抗体，通过双标记免疫细胞化学评估良性和恶性前列腺组织中NE细胞的AR表达。良性和恶性前列腺组织中的神经内分泌细胞通常显示出AR的核染色。在正常NE细胞中观察到一些明显的AR阴性核。在具有广泛NE分化的前列腺腺癌中，证实了AR阴性NE细胞的一个亚群。总之，良性和恶性前列腺组织都含有AR阳性和AR阴性NE细胞，这可能与雄激素非依赖性肿瘤生长和肿瘤进展有关。
