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Development and characterization of primary cultures of smooth muscle cells from the fibromuscular stroma of the guinea pig prostate

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Summary

Primary cultures of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were obtained by a two-step enzymatic digestion of guinea pig prostatic stroma. Ultrastructural morphology and growth characteristics of these cells conformed to those reported for SMCs isolated from vascular and visceral tissue sources. Electron microscopic examination indicated that the cells assumed modified myofibroblastoid features in culture. Microfilaments with associated dense bodies were markedly depleted in cultured smooth muscle cells, in comparison with those of the parent tissue. Cultured cells also possessed increased content of rough endoplasmic reticulum indicating the increased secretory or protein-synthetic capacity of the cells. Immunoperoxidase staining for cytoskeletal markers using monoclonal antibodies to desmin and vimentin supported the ultrastructural observations, suggesting a decline in desmin-staining intermediate filaments during “modulation” to the myofibroblastoid form. Despite this depletion of smooth muscle-specific differentiation markers and reversion to more general mesenchymal properties, the cells retained the ability to contract on challenge with norepinephrine, and grew in the characteristic “hill and valley” pattern on attaining confluence. Inasmuch as the estrogen and androgen receptor expression of the parent stromal tissue is also retained, these primary cell cultures should provide a useful model to study regulation of prostatic development.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Surgery and Pathology, Flinders Medical Centre, 5042, Bedford Park, South Australia

    Carmela Ricciardelli, David J. Horsfall, John M. Skinner, Douglas W. Henderson, Villis R. Marshall & Wayne D. Tilley

Authors
  1. Carmela Ricciardelli
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  2. David J. Horsfall
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  3. John M. Skinner
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  4. Douglas W. Henderson
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  5. Villis R. Marshall
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  6. Wayne D. Tilley
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Additional information

This work was supported by research grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, the Anti Cancer Foundation of the Universities of South Australia, and the Flinders Medical Centre Research Foundation.

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Ricciardelli, C., Horsfall, D.J., Skinner, J.M. et al. Development and characterization of primary cultures of smooth muscle cells from the fibromuscular stroma of the guinea pig prostate. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol 25, 1016–1024 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02624135

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02624135

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