An autopsy study of the prostate in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: evidence for excessive apoptosis and intracytoplasmic epithelial inclusions
Dikov, D.I.; Roland, J.; Chatelet, F.P.; Cywiner-Golenzer, C.
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 122(10): 875-879
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9985 PMID: 9786347 Document Number: 492837
We describe a combination of epithelial cell apoptosis and intracytoplasmic inclusions in prostatic epithelium in 6 patients who died from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Two different types of apoptosis were detected: simple cell shrinkage and exploding glandular cells. No intracellular or extracellular viral particles were detected, either ultrastructurally or immunohistochemically. Intracytoplasmic inclusions are apoptotic bodies in a state of degradation and in close association with lipofuscin. The cell degeneration we observed confirms the theory that increased apoptotic cell depletion is responsible for weight loss in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In the prostate itself, the combination of excessive apoptosis and active phagosomal digestion of apoptotic bodies presents a "human model" of postcastration rat ventral prostate, under the conditions of severe immune deficiency.