[Effects of all-trans retinoic acid on the macrophage function of prostatic stromal cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on prostatic stromal cells during wound repair after prostatectomy in vitro.

Methods: Each of the M1 and M2 types of monocytic macrophage (THP-1) cells were divided into an experimental, a control and a non-activated group, the M1 macrophages of the former two groups activated by PMA and IFNγ, and the M2 macrophages by PMA and IL-4, respectively. The cells in the two experimental groups were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) at 100 nmol/L, followed by detection of the expressions of IL-10, IL-12, IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β in the supernatant by ELISA.

TRAF6 regulates proliferation of stromal cells in the transition and peripheral zones of benign prostatic hyperplasia via Akt/mTOR signaling.

Background: Increased prostatic smooth muscle tone and hyperplastic growth contribute to urethral obstruction and voiding symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It has been suggested that different proliferative potential of stromal cells between transition zone (TZ) and adjoining regions of the prostate plays a significant role in the development of BPH. However, the molecular mechanisms of this hyperplastic process remain unclear.

Macrophages are targets of retinoic acid signaling during the wound-healing process after thulium laser resection of the prostate.

Background: The wound-healing process is very important for reducing complications after thulium laser resection of the prostate (TmLRP). The retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathway has been well studied in the wound-healing process of the skin and other organs. The goals of this study were to identify the role of RA signaling in the repair of the prostate after TmLRP and to investigate the molecular mechanism of this process.

Androgen Deprivation Accelerates the Prostatic Urethra Wound Healing After Thulium Laser Resection of the Prostate by Promoting Re-Epithelialization and Regulating the Macrophage Polarization.

Background: Complications after a thulium laser resection of the prostate (TmLRP) are related to re-epithelialization of the prostatic urethra. Since prostate growth and development are induced by androgen, the aim of this study was to determine the role and explore the mechanism of androgen in wound healing of the prostatic urethra.

Methods: Beagles that received TmLRPs were randomly distributed into a castration group, a testosterone undecanoate (TU) group, and a control group.

[Proportion of intermediate epithelial cells and human prostate cancer].

Objective: To study the different proportions of intermediate epithelial cells in human prostate cancer tissue and their clinical significance.

Methods: We performed immunohistochemical staining for Cytokeratin 5 (CK5) and Cytokeratin 8 (CK8) on 60 samples of human prostate cancer, determined the proportions of intermediate epithelial cells in the cancer tissue, and classified the samples into 2 types, one with a majority of intermediate epithelial cells (CaP-INT, n = 32), and the other composed mostly of luminal epithelial cells (CaP-LUM, n = 28). Then we compared the 2 types of prostate cancer in the expression of the androgen receptor (AR), age of the patient, serum t-PSA, prostate volume, Gleason score, clinical stage, androgen resistance, and incidence of distant metastasis.

[Targeted degradation of androgen receptors in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells: an experimental study].

Objective: To investigate targeted degradation of the androgen receptor (AR) by chimeric molecules (DHT-PROTAC) via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in androgen-independent prostate cancer CA-2B cells, and explore the proliferation, secretion and apoptosis of the treated cells.

Methods: C4-2B cells were treated with DHT-PROTAC, and then the expressions of the AR protein and caspase3 in the C4-2B cells were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. The concentration of PSA in the supernatant was examined by ELISA.