Anti-SSTR3 monoclonal antibody Made to order

Somatostatin (SST) is one of the major peptide transmitters in the mammalian central nervous system and also seems to exert specific functions during brain development. In contrast to Ligand binding experiments, by which two pharmacologically different binding sites were characterized, molecular cloning techniques have led to the identification of at least five different receptor subtypes (SSTR1-5), which according to RNA blot analyses seem to be differentially distributed and regulated in the developing brain. In order to provide more precise data on the distribution of SSTR1 during ontogenesis, we have performed an in situ hybridization analysis, using a 35S-labelled RNA probe, in the developing rat cortex between embryonic day (E)12 and adulthood. Within the cortical plate, expression of SSTR1 gene was first detected in parallel with the establishment of the deep laminae V/VI at E16, thereby following the characteristic morphogenetic gradients of cortical plate construction. Thus, with the subsequent addition of cells along the radial dimension, e.g. the deposition of the supragranular neurons beyond E18, the hybridization signal spreads as an uniform homogenous band through the entire cortical plate, whereby silver grains reach their peak density around birth. Similar developmental gradients were observed along the lateromedial and frontooccipital dimension, whereby SSTR1 transcripts were detected near the frontal pole and the lateral cortical areas roughly 2 days before they appeared in the occipital and medial cortical anlage, respectively. From the initially homogenous distribution, two distinct SSTR1 mRNA-positive bands coextensive with laminae V/VI and II/III, respectively, and sparing lamina TV evolved during the first postnatal week, the grain density of which decreased during further postnatal development. Within the hippocampal formation, SSTR1 transcripts were initially observed at E18 in the subicular complex, and after birth also extending into the neighboring CA1 region. During the Ist and 2nd postnatal week, silver grains were observed over the pyramidal cell layer of CA2 and CA3 and as a faint supragranular band in the dentate gyrus. Similar to the isocortex, grain density decreased thereafter. Hypothetically, the pronounced temporospatial regulation of SSTR1 gene expression during brain development can be correlated with (1) the establishment and eventual reduction of transient cortical SSTergic neuron populations described for late pregnancy and early postnatal development and (2) a receptor subtype exchange during maturation as evidenced by the late (from postnatal day 7 onward) appearance of e.g. SSTR3.

The aim of the study is to examine the tissue expression and localization of the somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in prostate cancer (PCa) with neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation. The five SSTR subtypes (SSTR1 to 5) were evaluated immunohistochemically in the secretory cells of normal-looking epithelium (Nep), high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and PCa in 20 radical prostatectomies (RPs) with Gleason score 3+3=6 acinar PCa; 20 RPs with GS 4+4=8 and 4+5=9 PCa; and 20 RPs with PCa with NE differentiation. The basal cells were evaluated in Nep and HGPIN. In all groups the stromal smooth muscle and endothelial cells were also analyzed. Concerning the secretory cells, (i) the greatest mean proportions of cells with strong cytoplasmic staining in PCa were seen for SSTR2, mainly in the group of RP with NE differentiation, and for SSTR4 in all three groups; the mean values in HGPIN were intermediate between Nep and PCa; (ii) Membrane staining was seen for SSTR3 and SSTR4; the mean percentages of positive cells, higher in SSTR3 than in SSTR4, decreased from Nep to HGPIN and PCa in all three RP groups; in the latter two, the mean percentages were similar; and (iii) Nuclear staining was seen with SSTR4 and SSTR5; for SSTR4, the mean percentages in the PCa of the three groups were higher than in HGPIN and Nep, the highest proportion being with PCa with NE differentiation. Concerning the basal cells, in Nep the mean proportions of cells with strong staining intensity were greater for SSTR1 and SSTR3 than for the other subtypes, the lowest being with SSTR2; in HGPIN the highest mean propositions of positive cells was with SSTR3, the proportions in the three RP groups being similar. Concerning the stromal smooth muscle and endothelial cells, the highest mean values being in SSTR1 and the lowest in SSTR5; for the former subtype the highest proportion of endothelial cells with strong intensity was seen in the RP NE group. In conclusion, this immunohistochemical study expands our knowledge on the expression and localization of five SSTRs in the various tissue components in the prostate with PCa with NE differentiation, compared with conventional PCa. Typing somatostatin receptor expression in NE tumours could be of relevance to target somatostatin analogue-based diagnostic approach and treatment.