Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), a ligand-activated transcription factor has been investigated as the target for cancer treatment as well as metabolic disorders. Recent studies have demonstrated that PPAR-γ ligands are anti-tumorigenic in prostate cancer due to anti-proliferative and pro-differentiation effects. The aim of this study was to validate PPAR-γ expression in malignant and benign prostate tissues by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 730 prostatic adenocarcinomas (PCAs) including 63 whole sections from radical prostatectomy specimens and tissue microarrays containing 667 PCAs were subject to immunostaining for two PPAR-γ antibodies. Twenty-five benign prostate tissues and PCAs were selected for investigating mRNA expression by quantitative real-time PCR. 10.7% of PCAs (78/730) showed cytoplasmic immunoreactivity of PPAR-γ and no nuclear immunoreactivity was noted in PCAs. Most benign prostatic glands showed negative immunoreactivity of PPAR-γ except for variable weak cytoplasmic staining in some glands. Nuclear immunoreactivity of PPAR-γ was noted some central zone and verumontanum mucosal epithelium. The constitutive PPAR-γ mRNA showed significantly lower level in PCAs compared to that in the benign tissues. There was no difference of PPAR-γ mRNA expression between low (≤7) and high (>7) Gleason score groups. There was no association of PPAR-γ mRNA level or cytoplasmic immunostaining with Gleason grade or pathologic stage. Our study supported the evidence of extra-nuclear localization and nongenomic actions of PPAR-γ. Further studies are needed to assess the functional role of PPAR-γ and to validate its therapeutic implication in prostate cancer.
Keywords: Immunohistochemistry; PPAR gamma; Prostatic Neoplasms; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction.