Fibroblast types linked to enlarged prostate (BPH)
Fibroblast subsets in BPH pathogenesis
This research looks at different fibroblast cell types in the prostate to understand why benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes prostate enlargement and urinary symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142398 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Stanford are comparing fibroblast cells from enlarged prostates and from normal prostates using genomic and single-cell methods to find specific cell subsets that drive growth. They will study how those fibroblasts signal to prostate epithelial cells, focusing on molecules like BMP5 and CXCL13 that may spur excess tissue growth. The team will also test whether BPH arises from reawakening of developmental programs or from injury-response processes. Findings are aimed at identifying cellular targets for therapies that specifically block the processes causing prostate enlargement.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, especially those providing prostate tissue during surgery or biopsy, would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Men without prostate enlargement or whose urinary symptoms are caused by non-prostate conditions are unlikely to directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to specific cells or signals to target with new treatments that shrink the prostate or reduce urinary symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown fibroblast signals like BMP5 can drive prostate epithelial growth, but defining pathogenic fibroblast subsets in BPH is a newer and still-developing approach.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pollack, Jonathan R — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Pollack, Jonathan R
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.