ANDROGENIC INDUCTION OF CYSTATIN-RELATED PROTEIN AND THE C3 COMPONENTOF PROSTATIC BINDING-PROTEIN IN PRIMARY CULTURES FROM THE RAT LACRIMAL GLAND

Cystatin-related protein (CRP) and the C3 component of prostatic bindi ng protein (C3) are synthesized in vivo under androgen control in the lacrimal gland and ventral prostate of adult male rats [1,2]. Androgen administration to female or 7-day castrated male rats, which do not e xpress CRP, can induce its synthesis [3]. In this study, we show andro gen-dependent expression of CRP1 and C3 in primary cultures of acinar cells of the lacrimal gland of female rats. Addition of androgens to t he culture medium results in the synthesis and secretion of both prote ins in a time- and dose-dependent way. Estradiol or progesterone are u nable to induce their expression. Dexamethasone in low concentrations and present as a basal component of the serum free defined medium, is needed to sensitize the culture system for androgens. In high concentr ations, this synthetic glucocorticoid seems to play a similar role as androgens in CRP1 and C3 regulation.