FGF-10 is expressed at low levels in the human prostate

BACKGROUND. Fibroblast growth factors (FCFs) are known to play an important role in the growth of normal prostatic epithelial cells. FGF-10 is a secre ted growth factor that binds to FGF receptor-2 mb, which is expressed in pr ostatic epithelial cells and thus can potentially act as a growth factor fo r these cells. Prior work has indicated that FCF10 may play an important ro le in the development of the rat prostate, but its role in the adult human prostate is unclear. METHODS. Expression of FGF10 in human prostate tissue and primary cultures of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells was assessed by reverse-transcrip tase PCR (RT-PCR) and Northern blotting. Growth response to FGF10 was asses sed by the addition of recombinant FGF-10 to primary cultures of prostatic epithelial and stromal cells. RESULTS. FGF10 is expressed at levels detectable by RT-PCR and can act as a growth factor for prostatic epithelial cells, but is not active as a growt h factor for stromal cells, However, FCF10 is expressed at extremely low le vels relative to FGF7, which has a similar biological activity. CONCLUSIONS. While FGF10 may Flay a role in prostatic development, it is un likely to play a major role in prostate growth in normal or hyperplastic ad ult human prostate, due to its extremely low expression compared to FGF7. ( C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.