M. Zaviacic et al., IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF HUMAN PROTEIN-1 IN THE FEMALE PROSTATE (SKENES GLAND) AND THE MALE PROSTATE, Histochemical Journal, 29(3), 1997, pp. 219-227
Mouse monoclonal anti-urine protein 1 antibody and the biotin-streptav
idin-peroxidase technique were used for the immunohistochemical demons
tration of human protein 1 in prostatic tissue of both sexes. In the f
emale prostate (Skene's gland), like the male prostate, high expressio
n of human protein 1 was observed on the luminal surface and in the ap
ical cytoplasm of secretory cells of prostatic glands, as well as on t
he luminal surface of the epithelium of the large ducts of the female
prostate and urethra. Expression was also found in the membranes of se
cretory and basal cells of the glands, in membranes of the urethral ur
oepithelium and of the female prostate ducts, in the content of glands
and ducts, as well as in vascular endothelium and smooth muscle. Huma
n protein 1 (urine protein 1) expression in the secretory cells of the
male and female prostate and its incorporation into the surface of ce
lls lining the lumina of the female urethroprostatic complex is indica
tive not only of the secretory role of protein 1 but also of its poten
tial protective properties operative in shielding the uroepithelium fr
om the aggressive urinary environment. All genito-urinary tissue, and
especially the female prostate, were found to be a potential source of
urine protein 1 (human protein 1), refuting the notion held so far th
at it is exclusively the genito-urinary prostatic tissue of the male t
hat participates in its production. The corresponding immunohistochemi
cal distribution of human protein 1 in the same structures of the male
and female prostate provides yet another analogous functional-morphol
ogical parameter of prostatic tissue in both sexes and further evidenc
e supporting the non-vestigial concept of the prostate in the female.