Biomaterial Database

Regulation of prostate growth by fibroblast growth factors. 1995

M T Story

Department of Urology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.

Growth of the prostate is controlled by androgen. However, there is information indicating that androgen may not act directly, but may act indirectly through polypeptide growth factors, to control prostate growth. This review will focus on the involvement of members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family in this process. The properties of FGFs and FGF-receptors are described that implicate these molecules in growth control. Information is provided that prostate stromal cells synthesize FGF2 and FGF7. FGF2 is a potent mitogen for stromal cells; whereas, FGF7 is exclusively a mitogen for epithelial cells. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta), also produced by prostate cells, inhibit cell growth. This suggests that prostate growth is controlled by autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Evidence is presented that altered FGF expression accompanies benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. A model is proposed whereby androgen regulates TGF beta, influencing FGF2 and FGF7 expression, and in turn regulating growth of the prostatic stroma and epithelium. An imbalance in the influence of these growth factors may contribute to prostate disease.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D011467	Prostate	A gland in males that surrounds the neck of the URINARY BLADDER and the URETHRA. It secretes a substance that liquefies coagulated semen. It is situated in the pelvic cavity behind the lower part of the PUBIC SYMPHYSIS, above the deep layer of the triangular ligament, and rests upon the RECTUM.	Prostates
D011470	Prostatic Hyperplasia	Increase in constituent cells in the PROSTATE, leading to enlargement of the organ (hypertrophy) and adverse impact on the lower urinary tract function. This can be caused by increased rate of cell proliferation, reduced rate of cell death, or both.	Adenoma, Prostatic,Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia,Prostatic Adenoma,Prostatic Hyperplasia, Benign,Prostatic Hypertrophy,Prostatic Hypertrophy, Benign,Adenomas, Prostatic,Benign Prostatic Hyperplasias,Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy,Hyperplasia, Benign Prostatic,Hyperplasia, Prostatic,Hyperplasias, Benign Prostatic,Hypertrophies, Prostatic,Hypertrophy, Benign Prostatic,Hypertrophy, Prostatic,Prostatic Adenomas,Prostatic Hyperplasias, Benign,Prostatic Hypertrophies
D002455	Cell Division	The fission of a CELL. It includes CYTOKINESIS, when the CYTOPLASM of a cell is divided, and CELL NUCLEUS DIVISION.	M Phase,Cell Division Phase,Cell Divisions,Division Phase, Cell,Division, Cell,Divisions, Cell,M Phases,Phase, Cell Division,Phase, M,Phases, M
D005346	Fibroblast Growth Factors	A family of small polypeptide growth factors that share several common features including a strong affinity for HEPARIN, and a central barrel-shaped core region of 140 amino acids that is highly homologous between family members. Although originally studied as proteins that stimulate the growth of fibroblasts this distinction is no longer a requirement for membership in the fibroblast growth factor family.	DNA Synthesis Factor,Fibroblast Growth Factor,Fibroblast Growth Regulatory Factor,Growth Factor, Fibroblast,Growth Factors, Fibroblast
D005786	Gene Expression Regulation	Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation.	Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D017468	Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor	Specific molecular sites or structures on cell membranes that react with FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTORS (both the basic and acidic forms), their analogs, or their antagonists to elicit or to inhibit the specific response of the cell to these factors. These receptors frequently possess tyrosine kinase activity.	FGF Receptor Complex,FGF Receptor Complexes,FGF Receptors,Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors,Receptors, FGF,FGF Receptor,Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor,Heparin-Binding Growth Factor Receptor,Heparin Binding Growth Factor Receptor,Receptor, FGF