ROLE OF BASIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR IN PROSTATIC TUMORS

Compared with normal prostatic tissue, the level of basic fibroblast g rowth factor (bFGF) is elevated in prostatic tumors. This suggests tha t bFGF may play a role in the development of prostatic neoplasms. The current study was undertaken to identify the cellular distribution of bFGF in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic carcinoma usi ng a polyclonal antiserum against recombinant bFGF In paraffin section s of prostatic tumors immunoreactive bFGF was found in fibroblasts, sm ooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. Distinct staining was seen i n most nuclei of these cells and a less incense immunoreaction occurre d in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells. No immunostaining was seen in prostatic epithelial cells of prostatic tumors whether benign or ma lignant. With digoxigenin-labeled oligonucleotides in nonradioactive i n situ hybridization, the presence of mRNA for bFGF was shown in smoot h muscle cells of the stroma, suggesting that these cells are the main source of bFGF in BPH. Because no immunostaining for bFGF was obtaine d in the carcinoma cells, a specific role for bFGF cannot be seen for the development of malignant prostatic tumors.