Neuroendocrine cell of the normal human prostate gland and in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Immunocytochemical study

Neuroendocrine [NE] cells secreting various peptides have been reported to be resident in the human prostate gland. The human in vivo physiological role of NE cells in the prostate is still under investigation, but many studies indicate that they may play a key role in both prostatic growth and differentiation as well as in the homeostatic regulation of the secretory process in the mature gland. The distribution of these cells through the various zones of the normal prostate and in benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH] is a subject of controversy. Samples include prostatic tissues from different zones of 6 patients<40 years removed during radical prostatectomy in testicular carcinoma and samples from BPH involving parts from small <5mm and large >10mm nodules were obtained from 10 patients >70 years. All samples were prepared for immunostaining with rabbit antiserum to human calcitonin. A predominance of NE cells was observed in the transitional zone of the normal prostate, the same region from which BPH commonly originates. There were generally a paucity of NE cells in large mature hyperplastic nodules while smaller growing nodules have increased number of these cells. It is postulated that these cells are under certain stimulation; most probably hormonal imbalance that occurs in ageing may play an important role in the genesis of BPH