0000000000065820
AUTHOR
James E. Trosko
Regulation of cell-to-cell communication in non-tumorigenic and malignant human prostate epithelial cells.
BACKGROUND Gap-junction-mediated intercellular communication (GJIC) is required for normal development and tissue homeostasis. However, the role of GJIC in human prostate carcinogenesis and progression remains ill-defined. METHODS The ability of hormones, anti-hormones, and the anti-hypertensive drug, forskolin, to restore GJIC in non-tumorigenic (RWPE-1 and PWR-1E) and malignant (RWPE-2, LNCaP, DU-145) human prostate epithelial cell lines, was examined by Scrape-Loading/Dye Transfer (SL/DT) and Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching (FRAP) methods using an Ultima laser cytometer. RESULTS Results from both assays show that PWR-1E, RWPE-2, LNCaP, and DU-145 cells have weak or absent GJIC…
Molecular Profiling of Potential Human Prostate Cancer Stem Cells
We have investigated the expression of Oct-4, Suz-12, and Cripto-1, as presumptive “stemness” genes, and of connexin 43 (Cx43), Cx32 and androgen receptor (AR), as cell differentiation genes, in two human prostate cancer cell lines, PC3 and LNCaP. This aiming to define molecular profiles of prostate cancer stem cells for a better understanding of prostate carcinogenesis and tumor progression, as well as for prognostic or therapeutic purposes. Cells were grown in 3-dimensional (3D) cell cultures to favor clonal expansion of cancer stem and early progenitor cells, and compared to cells grown in 2-dimensional (2D) cell cultures. Under 3D culture conditions, LNCaP cells and PC3 cells generated …