RECONSTRUCTION OF PROSTATIC ACINUS-LIKE STRUCTURE FROM VENTRAL AND DORSOLATERAL PROSTATIC EPITHELIAL-CELLS OF THE RAT IN 3-DIMENSIONAL COLLAGEN GEL MATRIX CULTURE

Purpose: The study was carried out to reconstruct a prostatic acinus-l ike structure from prostatic epithelial cells in a new culture system which can provide condition than conventional cell culture methods. Ma terials and Methods: Prostatic epithelial cells were isolated from ven tral and dorsolateral prostates of the rat and were separately culture d in three-dimensional collagen gel matrix. The cultured cells were ob served by photo-microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Diffe rentiation and proliferation of the cultured cells were examined by im munohistochemistry using PAP and PSA kits and a bromodeoxy-uridine (Br dU) kit. The cell area of acinus-like structures in the transverse sec tions was measured by computer with the Interaktive Bild-Analyse Syste m. Results: Dissociated prostatic epithelial cells were organized into three-dimensional spherical or branching cellular aggregates in colla gen gel matrix. Through cell proliferation and differentiation, the ce llular aggregates formed prostatic acinus-like structures, which consi sted of a small intercellular lumen enclosed by one layer of cuboidal epithelial cells. The epithelial cells were connected together by junc tional complexes, had microvilli at the luminal surface, and the basal side was surrounded by a distinct basal lamina. In the lumina of acin us-like structures, secretory products were often found. Conclusions: Prostatic acinus-like structures were reconstructed from dissociated p rostatic epithelial cells in three-dimensional collagen gel matrix cul ture. The reconstructed acinus-like structures are similar to prostati c acini in vivo in structure and function. This three-dimensional coll agen gel matrix culture model may provide a useful means for investiga ting prostatic diseases and influences that hormones and growth factor s exert on prostatic epithelial cells.