Protein Biomarker Analysis of Primary Peyronie’s Disease Cells

Abstract

Introduction The molecular pathogenesis of Peyronie’s Disease (PD) remains unclear more than 250 years after its initial description. Because of this, no test is currently available to accurately predict PD progression among those affected. Aim To investigate the expression of wound healing and fibrosis-associated proteins in primary cell cultures of PD fibroblasts to determine whether altered protein expression patterns can be used as predictors of clinical course and natural history. Methods Primary cell cultures derived from normal Tunica albuginea tissue and PD plaque tissue were examined by immuno-cytochemistry. Protein expression profiles were analyzed by Surface-Enhanced Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) and Western immunoblotting. Main Outcome Measures Expression of wound healing and fibrosis-associated proteins and protein expression patterns were assessed. Results Statistically significant increases in smooth muscle α-actin, β-catenin, and Heat shock proteins (Hsp47) were identified in cells derived from PD relative to cells derived from normal Tunica albuginea tissue. Changes in TGFβ-1 receptor and Fibronectin were also observed. In addition, altered expression of additional as yet unidentified proteins at 4.7, 8.9, 10.8, 16.8, and 76.8 kDa were detected by complementary SELDI-TOF-MS approaches. Conclusions Primary cells derived from PD plaques display up-regulated expression of several proteins that are established components of fibrosis and wound healing. In addition, changes in other, as yet unidentified proteins were measured. It will be of interest to conduct further studies to see whether these dysregulated protein peaks represent potential biological markers of disease progression.

Experimental Models and Laboratory Research for Peyronie’s Disease

“…In 2010, De Young and coworkers, for the fi rst time, investigated the expression of wound healing and fi brosis-associated proteins in primary cell cultures of PD fi broblasts [ 18 ]. They showed that primary cell cultures from PD plaque displayed overexpression of several proteins that are established components of fi brosis and wound healing.…”

“…They showed that primary cell cultures from PD plaque displayed overexpression of several proteins that are established components of fi brosis and wound healing. In particular, they found that statistically signifi cant increases in smooth muscle alpha-actin, betacatenin, and heat-shock proteins (Hsp47) were identifi ed in cells derived from PD relative to cells derived from normal tunica albuginea tissue [ 18 ]. Moreover, they found changes in TGF-β1 receptor and fi bronectin in association with altered expression of additional as yet unidentifi ed proteins at 4.7, 8.9, 10.8, 16.8, and 76.8 kDa [ 18 ].…”

“…In particular, they found that statistically signifi cant increases in smooth muscle alpha-actin, betacatenin, and heat-shock proteins (Hsp47) were identifi ed in cells derived from PD relative to cells derived from normal tunica albuginea tissue [ 18 ]. Moreover, they found changes in TGF-β1 receptor and fi bronectin in association with altered expression of additional as yet unidentifi ed proteins at 4.7, 8.9, 10.8, 16.8, and 76.8 kDa [ 18 ]. They also highlighted that it will be of interest to conduct further studies to see whether these deregulated protein peaks represent potential biological markers of disease progression [ 18 ].…”

Androtherm Application for the Peyronie's Disease

“…In Peyronie's disease, regulated expression of certain proteins such as the alpha-actin, beta-catenin, and heat shock proteins (Hsp47), which are established components of fibrosis and wound healing [30] have been noted/recognized.…”

Rat as an animal model for Peyronie's disease research: a review of current methods and the peer-reviewed literature

“…Newer investigative tools such as proteomic markers, cell-specific immunohistochemistry, western blot analyses and DNA microarray technology have also assisted in the functional and morphologic assessments as well as understanding of the pathophysiology of PD. 12,13 In the current article, existing English literature pertaining to the use of rodent models for the evaluation of PD is reviewed with primary focus on the development and application of these experimental animal and cell cultures models.…”