Prostate Fibroblasts (PF)

The prostate is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male reproductive system in most mammals. The function of the prostate is to secrete a slightly alkaline fluid, milky or white in appearance, that in humans usually constitutes roughly 30% of the volume of the semen along with spermatozoa and seminal vesicle fluid.

Fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells derived from the embryonic mesoderm. They have been extensively used for a wide range of cellular and molecular studies as they are one of the easiest types of cells to grow in culture. Prostate fibroblasts (PF) synthesize FGF-like growth factors to stimulate their growth which may be a factor in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Studies showe that androgens induce the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human fetal prostatic fibroblasts and may indirectly enhance prostate growth via up-regulation of VEGF from the surrounding stroma.