Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a member of interleukin-6 type cytokine family. The CNTF receptor complex is a heterodimer including gp130 and CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα) proteins triggering the activation of multiple intracellular signaling pathways including AKT/PI3K, MAPK/ERK and Jak/STAT pathways. At present no data are available on the localization of CNTF and CNTFRα in prostate as well as on the role of CNTF in this organ. In this study we have analyzed the localization of CNTF and CNTFRα by immunohistochemistry and we have used PWR-1E cell line as a model for normal glandular cell to investigate the role of this cytokine. Our results show that CNTF and CNTFRa are expressed in the staminal compart of the prostate and that CNTF selectively inhibits ERK pathway. In conclusion, we suggest that CNTF could be considered as key molecule to maintenance epithelium homeostasis via pERK downregulation by an autocrine mechanism. Further CNTF studies in prostate cancer could be useful to verify the potential role of this cytokine in carcinogenesis.

睫状神经营养因子（CNTF）是白介素6型细胞因子家族的成员。CNTF受体复合物是一种异源二聚体，包含gp130和CNTF受体α（CNTFRα）蛋白，可触发多种细胞内信号传导途径的激活，包括AKT / PI3K，MAPK / ERK和Jak / STAT途径。目前尚无关于CNTF和CNTFRα在前列腺中的定位以及CNTF在该器官中的作用的数据。在这项研究中，我们通过免疫组织化学分析了CNTF和CNTFRα的定位，并使用PWR-1E细胞系作为正常腺细胞的模型来研究该细胞因子的作用。我们的结果表明，CNTF和CNTFRa在前列腺的气室中表达，并且CNTF选择性抑制ERK途径。结论，通过自分泌机制使pERK下调。在前列腺癌中进行进一步的CNTF研究可能有助于验证这种细胞因子在致癌作用中的潜在作用。