(Overall): This new application from the University of Pittsburgh is for an O'Brien Urology Cooperative Research Center Grant to elucidate Molecular mechanisms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). The Center investigators have expertise in an array of fields, including urology endocrinology, molecular biology, pharmacology, physiology, neuroscience, genetics and pathology. Using their various expertise, investigators developed multidisciplinary projects that contain basic mechanistic components as well as the use of human clinical specimens to study BPH/LUTS. The following proposed projects will address important factors involved in BPH/LUTS, with a focus on inflammation: Project 1: Afferent and urothelial plasticity underlying bladder sensitization in prostatic inflammation (Naoki Yoshimura); Project 2: Prostate luminal epithelial permeability and inflammation in BPH pathogenesis (Zhou Wang); Project 3: Impact of Cox-2 on protective effects of estrogen receptor beta in prostate epithelial cells (Donald DeFranco). The O'Brien Center has established an Administrative Core and a Tissue Resource and Morphology Core (TRMC) to increase synergy and efficiency. The Administrative Core, which includes an Executive Committee, an Internal Advisory Committee, and an External Advisory Committee, will provide strong administrative support through project review, pilot project selection and monitoring, opportunity pool program, educational enrichment, biostatistics analysis, clinical relevance review, and communication with general public. TRMC will provide human tissue specimens, morphology support, and animal tissue processing and distribution. Together, these Cores will help to both integrate the O'Brien Center into the University community by serving as a resource and to attract new investigators to the field of BPH.

Public Health Relevance

(Overall): Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is a major medical problem affecting most elderly men and costing society ~$4 billion annually. Success of the proposed multidisciplinary research will elucidate the molecular mechanisms of BPH and related LUTS, which may lead to new targets for developing novel preventive and/or therapeutic approaches for this disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Specialized Center--Cooperative Agreements (U54)
Project #
5U54DK112079-03
Application #
9548665
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1)
Program Officer
Mullins, Christopher V
Project Start
2016-09-22
Project End
2021-07-31
Budget Start
2018-08-01
Budget End
2019-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Urology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
Tyagi, Pradeep; Motley, Saundra S; Koyama, Tatsuki et al. (2018) Molecular correlates in urine for the obesity and prostatic inflammation of BPH/LUTS patients. Prostate 78:17-24
Li, Feng; Pascal, Laura E; Zhou, Jianhua et al. (2018) BCL-2 and BCL-XL expression are down-regulated in benign prostate hyperplasia nodules and not affected by finasteride and/or celecoxib. Am J Clin Exp Urol 6:1-10
Mizoguchi, Shinsuke; Mori, Kenichi; Wang, Zhou et al. (2017) Effects of Estrogen Receptor ? Stimulation in a Rat Model of Non-Bacterial Prostatic Inflammation. Prostate 77:803-811