Comparative lineage tracing reveals cellular preferences for prostate cancer initiation

Abstract

The interplay of different cell types of origin and distinct oncogenic mutations may determine the tumor subtype. We have recently found that although both basal and luminal epithelial cells can initiate prostate tumorigenesis, the latter are more likely to undergo transformation in response to a range of oncogenic events.

Keywords: cell of origin; mouse models; prostate cancer; tumor initiation.

Figure 1.

Cellular sources of prostate cancer. (A) Oncogenic events in vivo result in transformation of a luminal cell of origin and subsequent tumor formation. (B) When basal cells are dissociated ex vivo and placed in a tissue recombinant with urogenital mesenchyme followed by renal grafting, cells that carry oncogenic events (cells of mutation) undergo basal-to-luminal differentiation to form luminal cells. These luminal cells can act as cells of origin, being transformed to initiate tumor formation.