# ENDOCRINE-PARACRINE APUD CELLS AND PROSTATE PATHOLOGY

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER · 1987 · $86,151

## Abstract

The objectives are:  (1)\determine the types and distributional frequency
of human intraepithelial prostatic and urethral endocrine-paracrine (PU-EP)
cells; (2)\establish an animal model (guinea pig) for PU-EP cells;
(3)\analyze the relationship between PU-EP cells and prostatic pathology,
in particular, dysplasia, carcinoma and nodular hyperplasia.  In comparison
to very similar gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) and broncho-pulmonary (BP)
EP cells, PU-EP cells have been poorly studied.  The potential significance
of PU-EP cells in normal and diseased states can be extrapolated by analogy
with GEP-\and BP-EP cells.  These latter EP cells are of great physiologic
importance, secreting biogenic amines and/or peptide hormones.  Changes in
EP cell number, distribution, and/or type have been related to a variety of
pathologic conditions including pre-cancerous processes and dysplasia.
Differentiation towards an EP cell phenotype in malignant neoplasms of the
GEP and, particularly, BP regions has had a significant impact on the
classification, behavior and therapy of malignant "neuroendocrine"
neoplasms.  Coproliferating EP cells are present 10 to 32.5% of prostatic
carcinomas, and primary carcinoids and small cell carcinomas have been
reported.  EP cells appear to be decreased in nodular hyperplasia.  Pilot
studies for this grant application indicate PU-EP cells are of great
potential significance since they are more numerous and diverse than
generally accepted:  (1)\Ultrastructural studies with morphometric analysis
have demonstrated a wide range of EP cell types based primarily on
secretory granule morphology.  Open (cells with luminal extensions) and
closed EP cell types as well as EP cells with long dendritic processes were
noted; (2)\Somatostatin immunoreactivity in a few PU-EP cells was
documented for the first time; and (3) Immunocytochemical (anti-NSE,
anti-serotonin) and histochemical (argyrophil and argentaffin) studies were
done to determine the inter-relationship of these techniques, additionally
documenting the heterogeneity of EP cells and establishing the best overall
methodology to further investigate the number and distribution of PU-EP
cells.  Many innovative techniques were specifically developed for this
proposal, including large plastic sections and a direct off-the-slide
"pop-off" technique for the ultrastructural studies (also used for combined
ultrastructural/immunocytochemical studies).  A new multipurpose stain was
developed for the plastic sections.  The scope and depth of thse
preliminary studies will be expanded and the same general approach will be
extended to the animal study and the study of pathologic tissues.  (4)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3178213
- **Project number:** 5R01CA039353-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** F27KDXZMF9Y8
- **Principal Investigator:** P ANTHONY DI SANT'AGNESE
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $86,151
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-04-01 → 1988-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3178213

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3178213, ENDOCRINE-PARACRINE APUD CELLS AND PROSTATE PATHOLOGY (5R01CA039353-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3178213. Licensed CC0.

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