TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA LOCALIZATION DURING MOUSE PROSTATE MORPHOGENESIS AND IN PROSTATIC GROWTH ABNORMALITIES

Growth and morphogenesis of the prostate involves mesenchymal-epitheli al interactions. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) is one growth factor that may play a role in these paracrine interactions, W e have localized TGF-beta 1 by molecular and immunohistochemical analy sis in the developing mouse prostate. Accumulations of TGF-beta 1 prot ein were localized in the mesenchyme surrounding ductules in fetal and neonatal prostate. Previous studies in the mouse prostate reconstitut ion (MPR) model system have localized accumulations of TGF-beta 1 to r egions of oncogene-induced abnormalities. In surgically excised adult human prostate tissues, localized accumulations of TGF-beta 1 are asso ciated with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In tracellular TGF-beta 1 was more often associated with stromal cells in BPH and with neoplastic epithelial cells in prostate cancer. The prod uction and accumulation of TGF-beta 1 appears to involve interactions between mesenchymal and epithelial cells. Further experimental studies may clarify the relationships between TGF-beta 1 and abnormal prostat ic growth.