CXC-Type Chemokines Promote Myofibroblast Phenoconversion and Prostatic Fibrosis
Figure 3
Fibrotic Prostate Tissues Express High Levels CXCR4.
A. Moderate/strong expression of CXCR4 was evident for 5/5 epithelial and stromal tissues exhibiting high levels of tissue stiffness (as determined in [7] ) and fibrosis. B. Fibrotic peri-urethral tissues from a patient, 0217, who exhibited moderate/severe LUTS (AUASI = 19), were characterized by high mechanical stiffness (nominal stress measurement of 2390 kilopascals [kPa]) and high collagen content consistent with a fibrotic tissue architecture, high stromal content (i), and moderate/strong CXCR4 staining (ii). Peri-urethral tissues from patient 0912, who exhibited mild LUTS (AUASI = 3), were characterized by low mechanical stiffness (nominal stress = 375 kPa) and low collagen content consistent with a non-fibrotic tissue architecture, high epithelial content (iii), and minimal CXCR4 staining (iv).