Calcitonin and Somatostatin Immunoreactive Cells Are Present in Human Bone Marrow and Bone Marrow Cells Are Responsive to Calcitonin and Somatostatin

Summary

The presence of calcitonin and somatostatin immunoreactive cells has been determined in semithin sections of human bone and bone marrow samples by immunocytochemical techniques. Calcitonin and somatostatin immunoreactive cells were demonstrated at the interface between bone and bone marrow, in close contact with vessels. It has also been shown that exogenous calcitonin and somatostatin affect the ligand-receptor internalisation, depress the incorporation of ³H-thymidine into acid-insoluble material, and exert opposite effects on ³⁵S-methionine incorporation to proteins of bone marrow cells in vitro. The evidence for calcium-dependent action of calcitonin and somatostatin on bone marrow cells has been presented. The regulatory role of fcalcitonin and somatostatin in bone marrow hemopoiesis is suggested and the implication of these findings for local hormonal regulation of hemopoiesis and bone structure is discussed.

Key words

Bone Marrow - Calcitonin - Somatostatin - DNA synthesis - Protein synthesis