epithelial cell of prostate basal cell of prostate epithelium 2010-09-20T03:34:10Z Basal cells of the prostate epithelium are one of the major cell types found in the glandular part of the prostate, which is a small, walnut-shaped gland that produces seminal fluid in males. These cells are located at the base of the prostatic acinar epithelial layer and form a contiguous layer separating the acinar lumen, where the prostatic secretions coalesce, and the underlying connective tissue. In contrast to the luminal cells, basal cells lack secretory granules. In common with basal epithelial cells in other epithelia, prostatic basal cells express markers such as cytokeratin 14 and p63. A key function of the basal cells of the prostate epithelium is to provide structural support to the secretory luminal cells and contribute to maintaining the integrity of the epithelial layer. They also have unique regenerative properties that aid in the recovery of the glandular epithelium after injury. Under normal conditions, these cells remain quiescent, but upon injury, they proliferate to replace the damaged secretory luminal cells, indicating a stem/progenitor cell-like behavior. They also play an important role in serving as a reserve cell population helping in maintaining tissue homeostasis. Basal cells of prostate epithelium are also central to understanding the pathobiology of prostate diseases. They are typically absent in prostatic adenocarcinomas, the most common form of prostate cancer, but they are thought to play a critical yet complex role in oncogenesis and therapeutic resistance mechanisms of prostate cancer, and in benign prostatic hyperplasia. They also have the ability to differentiate into neuroendocrine cells or luminal cells under certain conditions, contributing to disease heterogeneity. (This extended description was generated by ChatGPT and reviewed by the CellGuide team, who added references, and by the CL editors, who approved it for inclusion in CL. It may contain information that applies only to some subtypes and species, and so should not be considered definitional.) https://cdn.humanatlas.io/digital-objects/2d-ftu/prostate-prostate-glandular-acinus/v1.2/assets/2d-ftu-prostate-prostate-glandular-acinus.png https://cellxgene.cziscience.com/cellguide/CL_0002341 An undifferentiated cell of the prostate epithelium that lacks secretory activity. Homo sapiens