Data and simulation of the dynamics of stem cell amplification in prostate disease development and control (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)

Overview

Computer simulation can be used to complement purely biological approaches to explore dynamically the complex nature of cell division and differentiation. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-malignant expansion of the prostate with no known cause, is the major chronic disease of the ageing male population. Previous cancer studies undertaken at York have shown that BPH may result from persistent expansion of stem cells. The aim of this project was to adapt a state-of-the-art simulator to explore the stromal cell dynamics implicated in BPH and to simulate the effects on cell dynamics of new BPH drug treatments, in advance of or in parallel with clinical trials.

Tissues from York have been combined with a range of specialised tissue arrays from commercial suppliers and a curated array from Bart’s Hospital Pathology to provide a large sample for analysis. All immunostaining methods have been established for 5-6 lineage tracking markers; the positive staining has been linked to a nuclei recognition software to automate counting. A generic division and differentiation simulator has been developed which will be made available once fully tested

As planned, the project has laid the basis for further collaboration and research funding, publication of biological results, and on-going use of the simulator e.g. in determining the clinical effects of inhibitors. The collaboration with Bart’s Hospital should lead to an extensive supply of first class tissue arrays for further research.