Parathyroid hormone-related protein is not an autocrine growth factor for normal prostatic epithelial cells

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is the primary factor responsible for humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. The hypercalcemic actions of PTHrP occur via stimulation of renal distal tubular calcium reabsorption and increased osteoclastic bone resorption. These effects of PTHrP are thought to be mediated through a common parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTHrP receptor. In addition to the well-established role of PTHrP in bone remodeling, PTHrP is believed to be an important mediator of cellular growth and differentiation in a number of nonbony tissues. We recently demonstrated abundant expression of PTHrP in normal and malignant human prostatic tissues, and in cultured prostatic epithelial cells. METHODS: In vitro assays were used to test growth-regulatory activity of synthetic and endogenous PTHrP peptides on normal prostatic epithelial cells. RESULTS: No growth-regulatory activity could be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: PTHrP is not an autocrine growth factor for normal prostatic epithelial cells.