Hyperglycemia and T Cell infiltration are associated with stromal and epithelial prostatic hyperplasia in the nonobese diabetic mouse

Background Prostatic inflammation and various proinflammatory systemic comorbidities, such as diabetes and obesity are associated with human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There is a paucity of in vivo models reflecting specific aspects of BPH pathogenesis. Our aim was to investigate the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse as a potential model for subsequent intervention studies. Materials and Methods We used the NOD mouse, a model of autoimmune inflammation leading to type 1 diabetes to examine the effects of systemic inflammation and diabetes on the prostate. We assessed changes in prostatic histology, infiltrating leukocytes, and gene expression associated with aging and diabetic status. Results Both stromal expansion and epithelial hyperplasia were observed in the prostates. Regardless of diabetic status, the degree of prostatic hyperplasia varied. Local inflammation was associated with a more severe prostatic phenotype in both diabetic and nondiabetic mice. Testicular atrophy was noted in diabetic mice, but prostate glands showed persistent focal cell proliferation. In addition, a prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)‐like phenotype was seen in several diabetic animals with an associated increase in c‐Myc and MMP‐2 expression. To examine changes in gene and cytokine expression we performed microarray and cytokine array analysis comparing the prostates of diabetic and nondiabetic animals. Microarray analysis revealed several differentially expressed genes including CCL3, CCL12, and TNFS10. Cytokine array analysis revealed increased expression of cytokines and proteases such as LDLR, IL28 A/B, and MMP‐2 in diabetic mice. Conclusion Overall, NOD mice provide a model to examine the effects of hyperglycemia and chronic inflammation on the prostate, demonstrating relevance to some of the mechanisms present underlying BPH and potentially the initiation of prostate cancer.