Characterization of beta-adrenergic receptors on rat and human osteoblast-like cells and demonstration that beta-receptor agonists can stimulate bone resorption in organ culture.

We have shown by receptor-binding analyses that the beta-2 adrenergic receptor is present on rat ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells. This was confirmed by PCR amplification of cDNA copied from the mRNA. The beta-1 adrenoreceptor subtype was absent and its mRNA was not detectable, even at the level of sensitivity afforded by PCR analysis. The beta-adrenergic receptors present on ROS 17/2.8 cells were functional as measured by ligand-induced enhancement of cAMP production. We investigated whether adrenergic agonists could mimic the action of PTH to stimulate bone resorption in neonatal mouse calvariae in organ culture. PTH induced a large increase in cAMP while norepinephrine and isoproterenol induced a small but significant increase. In the presence of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and an antioxidant, norepinephrine consistently stimulated bone resorption. In order to determine whether functional beta-adrenergic receptors were unique to ROS 17/2.8 cells, human SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells were also examined for enhancement of cAMP production by norepinephrine, and essentially the same results were obtained. Thus, adrenergic agonists efficiently activate beta-receptors on two osteoblast-like cells and can stimulate bone resorption in intact mouse calvariae.

Protein phosphatase inhibitors and bone resorption: inhibition by okadaic acid and biphasic actions of calyculin-A.

PTH receptors on osteoblasts and calcitonin receptors on osteoclasts are coupled to adenylate cyclase. Despite similar transduction mechanisms, these hormones have opposing physiological actions. We investigated the consequences of persistent protein phosphorylation on bone resorption in neonatal mouse calvariae using okadaic acid (OA) and calyculin-A, two inhibitors of protein phosphatase-1 and -2A. These two inhibitors caused different responses in bone at picomolar and low nanomolar concentrations. OA inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, bone resorption stimulated by PTH, 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, phorbol ester, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). OA did not inhibit the generation of the second messengers cAMP or PGs and did not have nonspecific toxic effects, as measured by protein and RNA synthesis. Thus, OA appeared to mimic the global inhibitory action of calcitonin on bone resorption. Unlike OA, calyculin-A elicited a biphasic dose response. At concentrations of 3.3 nM and greater, calyculin-A inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, stimulated bone resorption. However, calyculin-A alone, at 0.625 and 2.5 nM, stimulated bone resorption via a PG-independent pathway. In calvariae, OA and calyculin-A increased phosphorylation of a 58- to 60-kilodalton protein. A protein of similar molecular mass was hyperphosphorylated in OA-treated ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells. We conclude that in addition to hormonal regulation of protein kinase activity, protein dephosphorylation plays a functionally important role in the modulation of bone resorption.

Characterization of a K26Q site-directed mutant of human parathyroid hormone expressed in yeast.

Human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) is susceptible to proteolytical cleavage both in humans and when expressed as a secretory product in Escherichia coli (Høgseth, A., Blingsmo, O. R., Saether, O., Gautvik, V. T., Holmgren, E., Hartmanis, M., Josephson, S., Gabrielsen, O. S., Gordeladze, J. O., Alestrøm, P., and Gautvik, K. M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 7338-7344) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Gabrielsen, O. S., Reppe, S., Saether, O., Blingsmo, O. R., Sletten, K., Gordeladze, J. O., Høgset, A., Gautvik, V. T., Alestrøm, P., Oyen, T. B., and Gautvik, K. M. (1990) Gene (Amst.) 90, 255-262). In the latter system, one major site of cleavage was identified (Arg25-Lys26 decreased Lys27). To produce hPTH resistant to this proteolytic processing, a point mutation changing Lys26 to Gln was introduced, and the modified gene expressed in S. cerevisiae as a fusion protein with the alpha-factor leader sequence. The resulting major form of hPTH secreted to the growth medium was of full length showing that the mutation had eliminated internal processing. Consequently, the yield of the mutant hormone was significantly higher than obtained with the natural peptide. Using improved purification procedures, a significantly higher purity was also obtained. The secreted mutant hPTH-(1-84,Q26) had the correct size, full immunological reactivity with two different hPTH antisera, correct amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence, and correct mass as determined by mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the introduced mutation did not reduce the biological activity of the hormone as judged from its action in three biological assay systems: 1) a hormone-sensitive osteoblast adenylate cyclase assay; 2) an in vivo calcium mobilizing assay in rats; and 3) an in vitro bone resorption assay.

Two squamous cell carcinomas not associated with humoral hypercalcemia produce a potent bone resorption-stimulating factor which is interleukin-1 alpha.

Conditioned medium (CM) from two squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, SCC-9 and SCC-13, stimulated bone resorption in neonatal mouse calvariae in organ culture. Enhanced bone resorption induced by CM was associated with an increased production of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) by the calvariae. Complete inhibition of stimulated PGE2 synthesis by indomethacin only partially inhibited bone resorption-stimulating activity (BRSA) in the CM. Neither SCC-9 nor SCC-13 CM stimulated cAMP production in rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8). The BRSA in CM was completely inhibited by an antibody to interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha). Fractionation of SCC-9 CM by gel filtration and HPLC ion exchange chromatography revealed a single peak of BRSA and PGE2 synthesis-stimulating activity at 17-20K (termed SCMII). In mouse calvariae, SCMII increased medium Ca2+ and PGE2 in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations from 20 ng protein/ml to a maximum of 500 ng protein/ml. Preincubation of SCMII with antibody to IL-1 alpha completely inhibited SCMII-induced bone resorption. SCMII also enhanced thymocyte proliferation with activity that was equivalent to 353 U/ml IL-1. Antibodies to IL-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor had no effect on SCMII-induced bone resorption. Using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha was measured in high concentrations in both crude and partially purified fractions of SCC-9 and SCC-13 CM. In contrast, IL-1 beta was either undetectable or present in amounts below those that stimulate bone resorption. In addition, SCMII did not enhance cAMP production in bone cells. We conclude that the BRSA produced by the two squamous cell carcinoma cell lines SCC-9 and SCC-13 is IL-1 alpha.

Human parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related protein and human PTH: comparative biological activities on human bone cells and bone resorption.

Human PTH-related protein (hPTHrP) has been characterized as a product of tumor cells with sequence homology to the biologically active amino-terminal portion of human PTH (hPTH). We measured the relative activities of synthetic amino-terminal sequences of hPTH-(1-34) and hPTHrP-(1-34) to stimulate production of cAMP in intact human SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cells. Both peptides enhanced cAMP production at concentrations of 2.5-7.5 X 10(-10) M, had parallel dose-response curves, and were of essentially equal potency. Preincubation of SaOS-2 cells with hPTH-(1-34) or hPTHrP-(1-34) for 1 or 4 h induced homologous desensitization to a second challenge with the same peptide as well as heterologous desensitization to the other PTH peptide, but had little or no effect on the action of vasoactive intestinal peptide; the magnitudes of homologous and heterologous desensitization induced by the same doses of hPTHrP-(1-34) or hPTH-(1-34) were similar. Bone resorption-stimulating activity was measured using 40Ca2+ release from neonatal mouse calvariae in organ culture after 72 h of incubation. hPTHrP-(1-34) gave a dose-response between 0.2 and 5 ng/ml (5 X 10(-11) and 1.2 X 10(-9) M), was about 3 times more potent than Lilly bovine PTH standard (assuming a SA of 3000 U/mg; 100 U/ml), gave the same maximum response as hPTH-(1-34), and was 20-30% as potent as hPTH-(1-34). Neither hPTH-(1-34) nor hPTHrP-(1-34) enhanced prostaglandin production in mouse calvariae, and indomethacin did not inhibit the bone resorption-stimulating activities of either peptide. We conclude that hPTHrP-(1-34) and hPTH-(1-34) have similar high specific biological activities to stimulate production of cAMP in human osteoblast-like cells, but that hPTHrP-(1-34) is modestly less potent than hPTH-(1-34) to stimulate bone resorption in mouse calvariae.

Evidence for multiple bone resorption-stimulating factors produced by normal human keratinocytes in culture.

Conditioned medium from cultured normal human foreskin keratinocytes enhanced the release of calcium from neonatal mouse calvaria in organ culture. Unfractionated keratinocyte-conditioned medium (KCM) stimulated bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner, but it did not increase the concentration of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the bone culture medium until a maximal dose of KCM for resorption was used. Furthermore, inhibitors of PGE2 synthesis, indomethacin, ibuprofen, and piroxicam, did not inhibit KCM-induced calcium release. High concentrations of KCM increased cAMP production by calvaria in the presence of isobutylmethylxanthine, but the increase was small compared with that produced by a dose of bovine PTH that caused a similar level of bone resorption. The bone resorption-stimulating activity of KCM was not lost after incubation at 56 C for 60 min, but it was lost after heating at 100 C for 10 min. Fractionation of KCM by gel filtration chromatography revealed two distinct peaks of bone resorption-stimulating activity. One peak, KCMI, caused a significant increase in bone resorption at 2 micrograms protein/ml. KCMI did not increase medium PGE2, and inhibition of PGE2 synthesis in bone had no effect on KCMI-induced bone resorption. KCMI failed to increase cAMP production by human osteosarcoma SaOS-2 cells. Another peak, KCMII, caused a dose-dependent increase in bone resorption, and a significant increase in medium calcium was noted at a 20-fold lower concentration (0.1 microgram protein/ml) than with KCMI. In contrast to KCMI, the increase in bone resorption stimulated by KCMII was accompanied by a parallel increase in the production of PGE2, and inhibition of PGE2 synthesis completely inhibited the bone resorption-stimulating activity of KCMII. KCMII also caused an increase in cAMP production by SaOS-2 cells. We conclude that KCM contains at least two distinct bone resorption-stimulating factors, one of which acts via a PG-mediated mechanism and the other by a PG-independent pathway.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (cachectin) stimulates bone resorption in mouse calvaria via a prostaglandin-mediated mechanism.

Recombinant human (h) and murine (m) tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha stimulated bone resorption and the production of prostaglandin (PG) E2 in neonatal mouse calvaria in organ culture. In experiments of 72-h duration, the effect on bone resorption was of large magnitude (an average increase in medium calcium of 3.3 mg/dl above control values in 11 separate experiments) and occurred over a concentration range of 0.1-20 ng/ml mTNF and 0.5-50 ng/ml hTNF. Accompanying the TNF-enhanced release of bone calcium there was enhanced accumulation of PGE2 in the culture medium. The increases in medium calcium and PGE2 were both inhibited completely by nontoxic concentrations of 4 different PG cyclooxygenase inhibitors (indomethacin, piroxicam, ibuprofen, and acetylsalicylic acid) but not by the noncyclooxygenase inhibitor salicylic acid. The magnitude of the PGE2 response, but not the calcium release, was less for bones treated with TNF than for those treated with equipotent doses of epidermal growth factor or human transforming growth factors-alpha or -beta, suggesting that the local site of production of PGE2 in bone may be different for TNF than for the other factors. Repeated sc injections of hTNF to intact mice for a 48-h period produced a statistically significant elevation of the plasma calcium concentration. Because TNF is produced by cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage in response to invasive stimuli such as the presence of tumor, our findings indicate that a host factor produced in response to malignant cells can cause enhanced bone resorption. Thus, the concept of the humoral hypercalcemias of malignancy must be expanded to include mediators not produced by the tumor cells themselves.

Actions of growth factors on plasma calcium. Epidermal growth factor and human transforming growth factor-alpha cause elevation of plasma calcium in mice.

Specific humoral substances produced and secreted by human tumors that cause hypercalcemia have not been identified. Certain growth factors (such as epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and transforming growth factors-alpha and -beta) have been shown to stimulate the resorption of bone in organ culture by both prostaglandin-dependent and prostaglandin-independent pathways. In this report we demonstrate that epidermal growth factor and recombinant human transforming growth factor-alpha induce a significant rise in plasma calcium concentration when administered repeatedly to intact mice for periods ranging from 24 h to 16 d. The elevation of plasma calcium is not dependent on dietary calcium and is not invariably accompanied by an increase in systemic levels of the prostaglandin E2 metabolite 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E2. The in vivo calcium-mobilizing activity of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha indicate that these or related growth factors need be considered as potential mediators of tumor-induced hypercalcemia.

Alpha and beta human transforming growth factors stimulate prostaglandin production and bone resorption in cultured mouse calvaria.

Human alpha and beta transforming growth factors (TGF-alpha and TGF-beta) stimulated the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and bone resorption in neonatal mouse calvaria in organ culture. Significant stimulation of bone resorption by TGF-alpha was observed with a concentration of 0.2 ng/ml (35 pM) and by TGF-beta with 0.2 ng/ml (8.0 pM). Enhanced production of PGE2 and bone resorption stimulated by either TGF-alpha or TGF-beta were both inhibited by indomethacin. We conclude that TGF-alpha and TGF-beta are potent and powerful stimulators of the resorption of mouse bone by a mechanism that involves the enhanced local production of PGE2.

Dietary menhaden oil lowers plasma prostaglandins and calcium in mice bearing the prostaglandin-producing HSDM1 fibrosarcoma.

The omega 3 class of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5), has been shown to alter the patterns of arachidonic acid (20:4) metabolism in both in vitro and in vivo systems. To examine further the role of arachidonic acid conversion to prostaglandins (PG) in hypercalcemic mice bearing the PG-producing HSDM1 fibrosarcoma, we have performed experiments in which control and tumor-bearing animals were fed diets either low (0.1-0.2% of total fatty acid) or high (17%) in EPA. In all five experiments performed, tumor-bearing mice eating control diets had markedly elevated (average sixfold above control) plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 (PGE2-M), while in mice bearing HSDM1 tumors and eating the EPA-enriched menhaden oil diet, the elevation was reduced to only twice control values. The increase in plasma calcium concentration (approximately 2.5 mg/dl above control) in tumor-bearing animals was also reduced significantly (P less than 0.05) to only 1.3 mg/dl above control in mice eating the diet enriched in EPA. Plasma immunoreactive hydroxy fatty acids (i12-HETE) and sulfidopeptide leukotrienes (iSRS) were not elevated in tumor-bearing mice and were unaffected by diet. The contents of PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were lower in tumor tissue from animals eating the diet high in EPA, whereas the tissue contents of i12-HETE and iSRS were not altered by diet. Fatty acid analysis of liver and tumor tissue revealed marked increases in certain omega 3 fatty acids (20:5, 22:5, and 22:6) from animals eating the enriched diet. Body weights, tumor weights, and tumor histology were not significantly altered by diet. To determine whether dietary calcium played a role in the elevation of plasma calcium in mice bearing the HSDM1 tumor and the reduction of plasma calcium in animals fed EPA, we compared results in mice fed diets containing 0.80% (normal) and 0.015% (deficient) calcium. The increases in plasma calcium and PGE2-M observed in tumor-bearing mice were the same on both normal and very low calcium intakes. We conclude, in mice of the Swiss albino strain bearing the HSDM1 fibrosarcoma, that consumption of a diet enriched in EPA reduces the production of cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism and thereby reduces the elevation of plasma calcium concentration. Dietary enrichment with EPA did not alter the production of serologically determined lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid.

Hypercalcemia in dogs with lymphosarcoma. Biochemical, ultrastructural, and histomorphometric investigations.

Dogs with lymphosarcoma and hypercalcemia had decreased trabecular bone volume and increased osteoclastic osteolysis, whereas dogs with lymphosarcoma that were normocalcemic did not have increased bone resorption. Increased osteoclastic resorption was present only in bone from hypercalcemic dogs that contained neoplastic tissue but not in bone free of tumors, suggesting that the factor(s) responsible for stimulating bone resorption were elaborated locally by the tumor tissue. Hypercalcemic dogs with lymphosarcoma had decreased concentrations of plasma immunoreactive parathyroid hormone and serum 1,25-(OH)2D compared with normocalcemic dogs with lymphosarcoma and control dogs with and without other neoplasms. Immunoreactive parathyroid hormone was not detected in lymphosarcoma tissue. The plasma concentration of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 (PGE2M) was increased approximately 2-fold in hypercalcemic dogs with lymphosarcoma as compared with other groups. Urine excretion of calcium, phosphorus, and hydroxyproline were increased in hypercalcemic dogs with lymphosarcoma. Ultrastructurally, lymphosarcomas were composed of tumor cells with large nuclei and a paucity of cytoplasmic organelles. Light and electron microscopic examination of parathyroid glands revealed inactive or atrophic chief cells in dogs with lymphosarcoma and hypercalcemia. The increased osteoclastic bone resorption in hypercalcemic dogs with lymphosarcoma was not mediated by increased circulating levels of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone and 1,25-(OH)2D but was dependent upon infiltration of bone marrow by neoplastic cells and, presumably, the local production of a bone resorption-stimulating factor.

Pituitary immunoreactive calcitonin-like material: lack of evidence for cross-reactivity with pro-opiomelanocortin.

In mammals, calcitonin (CT) is synthesized, stored, and secreted by intrathyroidal C cells. Several reports have suggested the presence of immunoreactive CT in the pituitary gland. We have studied the rat pituitary gland using a radioimmunoassay for CT and have also found immunoreactive CT-like material. Assay of extracts of whole rat pituitary glands was performed using a radioimmunoassay for human CT, which gave identical dilution curves with synthetic human CT (hCT), synthetic rat CT (rCT), and mouse and rat thyroid extracts, but not with a variety of other pituitary and hypothalamic peptides. Immunoreactive CT (iCT) content of extracts of whole pituitary glands ranged from 6 to 72 pg/mg wet weight of tissue (60-840 pg/whole pituitary gland), whereas iCT was not measureable (less than 5 pg/mg tissue) in similar extracts of hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. Gel filtration studies of pituitary extracts showed a peak of iCT, which eluted with 125I-rCT and diluted in parallel with rCT. To investigate whether the pituitary iCT was related to pro-opiomelanocortin, extracts of ACTH-producing AtT20/D16 cells from mice, which contain the ACTH precursor in large quantities, were examined and no iCT was found. Immunohistochemical studies of rat pituitary glands with peroxidase-antiperoxidase and immunofluorescent techniques showed positive staining for CT in cells in the pars anterior, but not in the pars intermedia of pars nervosa; this staining was not eliminated when the antiserum was absorbed with CT under conditions that completely obliterated staining of rat thyroid glands. Double staining demonstrated essentially two distinct populations of cells, one positive for CT and another positive for ACTH, with less than 1% of the cells positive for both ACTH and CT. Immunoreactive CT-like material was present in the pituitary glands of rats thyroparathyroidectomized 18 days before they were killed, but was diminished. Biosynthetic labeling in vitro of rat pituitary glands with 3H-leucine showed incorporation into prolactin; there was no incorporation into CT. No in vitro secretion of iCT by whole rat pituitary glands either basally or after high K+ stimulation was observed. We conclude that: (1) a substance that has certain immunologic and size characteristics of CT is present in minute amounts in the pituitary gland of rats; (2) this material is not a part of the ACTH precursor; and (3) positive immunohistochemical staining in pituitary glands may not be specific for authentic CT.

Hypercalcemia in dogs with adenocarcinoma derived from apocrine glands of the anal sac. Biochemical and histomorphometric investigations.

Hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and hyperphosphaturia were present in female dogs with adenocarcinomas derived from apocrine glands of the anal sac (CA). Remission of hypercalcemia accompanied tumor excision in all six dogs undergoing surgery, whereas tumor recurrence or growth of metastases was associated with a return of hypercalcemia. Preoperatively, the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone in all dogs were undetectable or in the low normal range. Plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 (PGE2M) and serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were not significantly different from control dogs. Urinary cyclic AMP and hydroxyproline were increased in dogs with CA. No immunoreactive parathyroid hormone was detected in extracts from tumor tissue, and parathyroid glands from dogs with CA had ultrastructural characteristics of secretory inactivity. Lumbar vertebrae from hypercalcemic dogs had decreased trabecular bone volume and increased osteoclastic bone resorption compared with age-matched control dogs. After tumor excision, serum total calcium returned to the normal range, whereas immunoreactive parathyroid hormone increased 2- to 20-fold and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D decreased 2- to 8-fold. Postoperative hypocalcemia was not observed. These results indicate that CA produces a hypercalcemic factor other than immunoreactive parathyroid hormone or prostaglandin E2 that increases osteoclastic osteolysis distant from the tumor and results in hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and hyperphosphaturia.

Cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism by mouse bone in organ culture.

The products of endogenous and exogenous arachidonic acid metabolism via the cyclooxygenase pathway in mouse bone in organ culture were identified and quantitated by the use of high performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. Production of prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha, and I2 from endogenous substrate was stimulated by incubation of bone with epidermal growth factor and the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. Addition of arachidonic acid to the culture medium not only resulted in the accumulation of prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha, and I2 but also thromboxane. Bone metabolized prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha to their respective 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-derivatives. Prostaglandin I2, measured as 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha was synthesized by bone, and metabolic products of prostaglandin I2 or 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, either 6,15-diketo-prostaglandin F1 alpha or 13,14-dihydro-6,15-diketo-prostaglandin F1 alpha, were also detected in the culture media. Formation of cyclooxygenase products of endogenous and exogenous arachidonic acid metabolism (both basal and stimulated) and bone resorption were inhibited by indomethacin. Bone as a tissue responded biochemically not only to exogenous prostaglandins and agents that enhance endogenous prostaglandin production but also to exogenous arachidonic acid by biosynthesis of prostaglandins, prostacyclin and thromboxane. Furthermore, bone metabolized these cyclooxygenase products to their more stable metabolites.

Analysis by high performance liquid chromatography of cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism in plasma of rabbits bearing the VX2 carcinoma.

Cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid metabolism in the plasma of normal rabbits and animals bearing the VX2 carcinoma were separated by high performance liquid chromatography and the effluent fractions assayed by serologic methods. The products measured were 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, thromboxane B2, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, 13,14-dihydro-PGE2, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2, 15-keto-PGE2, and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha. In hypercalcemic, tumor-bearing rabbits, the plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha were markedly elevated (in the range of 0.5 to 16 ng/ml). Previously unmeasured 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, thromboxane B2, 13,14-dihydro-PGE2 and 15-keto-PGE2 were not found in high concentrations in the plasma of tumor-bearing rabbits. These results add further support to our conclusion that the VX2 tumor produces hypercalcemia in the host by a mechanism which utilizes PGE2, rather than a subsequent metabolite of this prostaglandin, as the mediator between the neoplasm and bone.

Acute phase reactants ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin and their relationship to plasma prostaglandins in rabbits bearing the VS2 carcinoma.

Results of previous studies have shown that the VX2 carcinoma in rabbits synthesizes large amounts of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). PGE2 secreted by the tumor is rapidly metabolized and can be measured in plasma as the metabolite 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 (PGE2-M). We have previously proposed that the hypercalcemia that occurs in rabbits bearing the VX2 carcinoma is due to excessive secretion of PGE2 by the tumor and its subsequent action on the skeleton as a bone resorption-stimulating factor. In the course of these studies, we noted that the plasma of rabbits bearing the VS2 carcinoma became blue about 1 wk after tumor implantation. The intensity of the color increased markedly thereafter. We therefore measured ceruloplasmin in plasma by both chemical and immunological assay methods. Plasma ceruloplasmin and PGE2-M rose in parallel (within 7-10 days) and preceded by 7-10 days the development of hypercalcemia. 2 wk after tumor implantation, plasma PGE2-M and ceruloplasmin had risen about 20- and 6-fold, respectively, while the rise in plasma calcium was just beginning. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, given from the time of tumor implantation prevented completely the hypercalcemia and largely inhibited the rise in ceruloplasmin. When given after hyperprostaglandinemia had developed, indomethacin produced a fall in both PGE2-M and ceruloplasmin. A rise in plasma haptoglobin concentrations similar to that seen for ceruloplasmin was also observed. No changes in plasma albumin concentrations occurred. We conclude that the acute phase reactants ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin rise rapidly in the plasma of rabbits bearing the VX2 carcinoma, and that this increase is related to arachidonic acid metabolism in these animals. It is possible that arachidonic acid metabolites also play a role in the elevations of these two plasma proteins observed in certain patients with malignant tumors.

Systemic effects of the VX2 carcinoma on the osseous skeleton. A quantitative study of trabecular bone.

The skeleton of rabbits bearing the transplantable VX2 carcinoma has been studied by a combination of radiographic and histomorphometric techniques. It has previously been shown that this tumor produces and secretes large amounts of prostaglandin E2. In vivo experiments, as well as cell and organ culture studies, have led to the conclusion that the hyerpcalcemia observed in tumor-bearing rabbits is due to excessive secretion of prostaglandin E2 by the tumor and its subsequent action on bone throughout the organism. Our new findings reveal (1) no evidence of local invasion of bone by the VX2 tumor or osseous metastases; (2) radiographic evidence of generalized osteopenia; (3) histomorphometric documentation in trabecular bone of reduced volume density of bone matrix, consistent with increased resorption in trabecular bone at sites distant from tumor; and (4) a marked generalized reduction in surface density of osteoblastic layers, volume density of osteoid, osteoid seam thickness, and surface density of osteoid. These findings in trabecular bone of iliac crest and vertebra offer quantitative data in support of the conclusion that VX2 carcinoma affects skeletal metabolism systemically.

Antropyloric G-cell hyperplasia in hypercalcemic rabbits bearing the VX2 carcinoma.

The number of distribution and the numbers of G cells in the antropyloric region of the rabbit stomach were mapped employing immunoperoxidase localization and morphometric quantitation and compared to similar analyses in hypercalcemic rabbits bearing the VX2 carcinoma. In normal animals, G cells were confined to the lower third of the antropyloric mucosa, where they were randomyly distributed within the mucosal glands. In contrast, tumor-bearing animals showed an extension of these cells into the middle third of the antropyloric mucosa. The absolute counts of G cells in control rabbits were 5.3 +/- 0.78 (mean +/- SE) per unit area, while those in hypercalcemic tumor-bearing rabbits were 11.9 +/- 0.46, a statistically significant increase. It is concluded that rabbits bearing VX2 carcinoma have G-cell hyperplasia.

Plasma concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin E2 in rabbits bearing the VX2 carcinoma: effects of hydrocortisone and indomethacin.

In rabbits bearing the prostaglandin-producing VX2 carcinoma, the plasma concentration of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE2 (PGE2-M) was elevated within one week after tumor implantation and preceded the development of hypercalcemia. Both the rate of rise and magnitude of the increase were greater for the metabolite than for PGE2; at the time of peak hyercalcemia (about 4 to 5 weeks after tumor implantation), the increase over basal in plasma PGE2-M was about 75 fold whereas it was previously shown that the increase in PGE2 was less than 2 fold. Indomethacin, which inhibits PGE2 synthesis in VX2 cells in culture, lowered in parallel plasma calcaium and PGE2-M in tumor-bearing rabbits. Administration of hydrocortisone to rabbits bearing the VX2 tumor prevented the development of hypercalcemia when given at the time of tumor implantation and reversed the elevated plasma calcium in previously untreated animals; the steroid hormone also lowered plasma concentrations of PGE2-M. These findings are consistent with our hypothesis that the hypercalcemic syndrome in VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits is due to the secretion of PGE2 by the tumor.