Early studies suggested macrophages might play roles in inflammation-associated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) development, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here we first showed that CD68(+) macrophages were identified in both epithelium and the stromal area of human BPH tissues. We then established an in vitro co-culture model with prostate epithelial and macrophage cell lines to study the potential impacts of infiltrating macrophages in the BPH development and found that co-culturing prostate epithelial cells with macrophages promoted migration of macrophages. In a three-dimensional culture system, the sphere diameter of BPH-1 prostate cells was significantly increased during coculture with THP-1 macrophage cells. Mechanism dissection suggested that expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, such as N-cadherin, Snail, and TGF-β2, were increased, and administration of anti-TGF-β2 neutralizing antibody during co-culture suppressed the EMT and THP-1-mediated growth of BPH-1 cells, suggesting THP-1 might go through EMT to influence the BPH development and progression. Importantly, we found that modulation of androgen receptor (AR) in BPH-1 and mPrE cells significantly increased THP-1 and RAW264.7 cell migration, respectively, and enhanced expression levels of EMT markers, suggesting that AR in prostate epithelial cells might play a role in promoting macrophage-mediated EMT in prostate epithelial cells. Silencing AR function via an AR degradation enhancer, ASC-J9, decreased the macrophage migration to BPH-1 cells and suppressed EMT marker expression. Together, these results provide the first evidence to demonstrate that prostate epithelial AR function is important for macrophage-mediated EMT and proliferation of prostate epithelial cells, which represents a previously unrecognized role of AR in the cross-talk between macrophages and prostate epithelial cells. These results may provide new insights for a new therapeutic approach to battle BPH via targeting AR and AR-mediated inflammatory signaling pathways.

Background: Macrophages are key players in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). But, molecular mechanisms by which macrophages promote prostate cell proliferation remain unclear. Results: Macrophages can enhance the growth of prostate stromal cells via an androgen receptor (AR)-CCL3-dependent pathway. Conclusion: CCL3 is an AR downstream regulator of macrophages in promoting prostate stromal cell growth. Significance: AR and CCL3 could be targets of opportunity for new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of BPH.

Intestinal immune suppression occurs in the early stage of SAP rats, which may be the main reason for bacterial and endotoxin translocation. L-arginine can improve the intestinal immunity and reduce bacterial and endotoxin translocation in SAP rats.

Objective: To prepare monoclonal antibody (McAb) against the Integrin a6 extracellular domain and identify its biological activities. Methods: Fusion-protein of integrin o~6 extracellular domain (GST-IAGED) was expressed in E.coli. JM109 and used for immunizing BALB/C mice. The spleen cells from immunized mice were fused with SP2/0 cells and selectively cultured with HAT medium. ELISA and immunocytochemistry staining were used to select hybridomas. Results: One strain of hybridoma cells that secreted specific monoclonal antibody against integrin a6 extraceUular domain was indentified. The immunoglobulin subclass of the McAb was IgG1. Conclusion: The McAb against the extracellular domain of integrin ct6 was successfully prepared by using GST-IA6ED fusion protein expressed by E.Coli. And the McAb had positive reaction with human hepatocarcinoma cells-BEL-7402.