Maturation of the developing human fetal prostate in a rodent xenograft model.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed nonskin cancer in men. The etiology of prostate cancer is unknown, although both animal and epidemiologic data suggest that early life exposures to various toxicants, may impact DNA methylation status during development, playing an important role.

Methods

We have developed a xenograft model to characterize the growth and differentiation of human fetal prostate implants (gestational age 12-24 weeks) that can provide new data on the potential role of early life stressors on prostate cancer. The expression of key immunohistochemical markers responsible for prostate maturation was evaluated, including p63, cytokeratin 18, α-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, caldesmon, Ki-67, prostate-specific antigen, estrogen receptor-α, an

SUBMITTER: Saffarini CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4306740 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature