G. Steiner et al., PHENOTYPE AND FUNCTION OF PERIPHERAL AND PROSTATIC LYMPHOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA, The Journal of urology, 151(2), 1994, pp. 480-484
In a previous report, we demonstrated intense lymphocytic infiltration
of all benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) tissues analyzed in conjunc
tion with HLA-DR expression on normally MHC-class-II-negative prostate
epithelial cells. The composition of these infiltrates (70 to 80% CD3
+ T-cells, but no granulocytes) resembles the situation seen in immune
responses against altered self or self rather than against foreign an
tigens (infection). In the present study, phenotypic and functional im
munoassays were used in order to investigate whether T-cells in BPH ar
e indeed activated, and whether this activation is systemic or restric
ted locally to the prostate. Analysis of T-cell activation marker expr
ession and proliferation requirements provided substantial evidence th
at these infiltrating lymphocytes, in contrast to their peripheral cou
nterparts, are chronically activated. Since local accumulation of acti
vated lymphocytes can cause tissue destruction, high concentrations of
cytokines, and consequently tissue rebuilding, this process might con
tribute to the pathogenesis of BPH.