IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF HUMAN PROTEIN-1 IN THE FEMALE PROSTATE (SKENES GLAND) AND THE MALE PROSTATE

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.