Effect of epristeride on expression of TGF-beta receptor in rat prostatic epithelial cells in vitro

To assess the effect of epristeride on the expression of transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (TbetaR II) in rat prostatic epithelial cells in vitro. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to quantitatively detect the mRNA and protein expressions of TbetaR II in rat prostatic epithelial cells treated or untreated with epristeride. Immunocytochemical staining method was used to qualitatively analyze the expression of TbetaR II protein. After treatment with epristeride 180 or 360 nmol/L, TbetaR II mRNA expression levels were 0.56 +/- 0.08 and 0.59 +/- 0.07, respectively, which were significantly up-regulated compared with control cells (0.38 +/- 0.04, P < 0.05); expression level of TbetaR II protein were 3163 +/- 920 and 6769 +/- 1941, respectively, which were also markedly up-regulated compared with control cells (536 +/- 240, P < 0.05). Immunostaining showed weak positive reaction in control cells, while strong staining of TbetaR II was found in epristeride-treated cells. Epristeride may up-regulate the expression of TbetaR II to induce apoptosis of prostatic epithelial cells.