Cell Proliferation in the Gleason Scores, Immunogold Localization of CD133 in the Stem Cells of Human Prostate, and Analysis of Embryonic Stem Cells, Including Organogenesis

Abstract

We studied the cell proliferation in the Gleason histological scores, characterization of stem cells in human prostate, and analysis of embryonic cells, including organogenesis in the hope of providing new insights in the human prostate. Most studies have evaluated embryonic stem cells separately from the stem cells in adult prostate and its cancer resulting in an incomplete understanding of their relationships. We hypothesize that the stem cell proliferation in the Gleason scores can indicate the progression of the prostate cancer. We further hypothesize that the embryonic stem cells after organogenesis can continue after birth in the young and adult human prostate and its cancer. Our hypothesis is also supported by the fact that the fetal prostate (other organs) usually does not degenerate in the womb after implantation. Animal models did not show widespread apoptosis (cell death) and formation of new stem cells in embryonic stem cells. Paraffin and Epon-embedded prostate sections were studied using the light and phase contrast and electron microscopy. Methylene blue stains basic proteins in androgeninsensitive dark-staining stem cells and not the androgen-sensitive light cells. Both cell types of cells localize CD133. Basal and stem cells are closely associated with the acinar basement membrane of the prostate. Our analysis of the animal models indicated that the embryonic stem cells in the blastocysts continue in the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm during gastrulation and in the fetal organ development during organogenesis. Subsequently, stem cells continue after birth in the young and adult organs (such as prostate, lungs). Each fetal organ develops specific set of stem cells and genes that are unique for that organ (such prostate, lungs) resulting in the development organ-specificity. The unrelated genes are either completely or partially inactivated and/or deleted.