BACKGROUND: Stromal-cell contractility is known to play an important role in the development of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An in vitro model of single-cell contraction was developed to investigate the effect of alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists. METHODS: Human prostatic stromal cells were isolated from prostatectomy and cystoprostatectomy specimens. The cells were cultured in a selective medium supplemented with growth factors and steroid hormones. The culture flasks were coated with a viscous agent to allow cell contraction. Contractions were visualized by means of a cell-culture microscope fitted with a time-lapse video system. For quantitative analysis, the percentage of contracting cells was evaluated. RESULTS: Nineteen percent of the cells were found to contract without stimulation. Following incubation with doxazosin (10 nM, 100 nM, and 1 mM), there was a slight dose-dependent decrease in the number of spontaneously contracting cells, whereas adrenergic stimulation using 10 microM of phenylephrine led to a significant increase in the percentage of contracting cells (55%). Following incubation with 100 nM of doxazosin, the phenylephrine-induced effect was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: This simple in vitro model of cell contraction in the prostate provides a useful means of investigating drug effects on prostatic stromal cells.
BACKGROUND: Stromal-cell contractility is known to play an important role in the development of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An in vitro model of single-cell contraction was developed to investigate the effect of alpha1-adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists. METHODS:Human prostatic stromal cells were isolated from prostatectomy and cystoprostatectomy specimens. The cells were cultured in a selective medium supplemented with growth factors and steroid hormones. The culture flasks were coated with a viscous agent to allow cell contraction. Contractions were visualized by means of a cell-culture microscope fitted with a time-lapse video system. For quantitative analysis, the percentage of contracting cells was evaluated. RESULTS: Nineteen percent of the cells were found to contract without stimulation. Following incubation with doxazosin (10 nM, 100 nM, and 1 mM), there was a slight dose-dependent decrease in the number of spontaneously contracting cells, whereas adrenergic stimulation using 10 microM of phenylephrine led to a significant increase in the percentage of contracting cells (55%). Following incubation with 100 nM of doxazosin, the phenylephrine-induced effect was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: This simple in vitro model of cell contraction in the prostate provides a useful means of investigating drug effects on prostatic stromal cells.