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Prostatic Stromal Cells

Meaning

Prostatic stromal cells are the heterogeneous population of mesenchymal cells, including fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and various immune cells, that constitute the non-epithelial, supportive component of the prostate gland. These cells form the essential supportive matrix, or stroma, surrounding the glandular epithelial cells and are necessary for maintaining the prostate’s structure and proper function. Crucially, they are the primary site for the local conversion of circulating testosterone into the more potent androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), via the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. The intricate paracrine signaling between stromal and epithelial cells is fundamental to normal prostate development and is deeply implicated in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.