Low CD38 Identifies Progenitor-like Inflammation-Associated Luminal Cells that Can Initiate Human Prostate Cancer and Predict Poor Outcome

Cell Rep. 2016 Dec 6;17(10):2596-2606. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.11.010.

Abstract

Inflammation is a risk factor for prostate cancer, but the mechanisms by which inflammation increases that risk are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that low expression of CD38 identifies a progenitor-like subset of luminal cells in the human prostate. CD38lo luminal cells are enriched in glands adjacent to inflammatory cells and exhibit epithelial nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling. In response to oncogenic transformation, CD38lo luminal cells can initiate human prostate cancer in an in vivo tissue-regeneration assay. Finally, the CD38lo luminal phenotype and gene signature are associated with disease progression and poor outcome in prostate cancer. Our results suggest that prostate inflammation expands the pool of progenitor-like target cells susceptible to tumorigenesis.

Keywords: CD38; cell of origin; inflammation; luminal; progenitor; prostate cancer; stem cells; transformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / genetics*
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / genetics*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Male
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Prostate / metabolism
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1