Homologous and heterologous control of bone cell adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response to hormones by parathoromone, prostaglandin E2, calcitonin, and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

Desensitization of hormone-stimulated cAMP response to parathormone, prostaglandin E2, and calcitonin was characterized in isolated bone cells. Osteoclast- and osteoblast-like cells derived from mouse calvaria were incubated for up to 24 h with agents that cause bone resorption (parathormone, prostaglandin E2, or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) or with calcitonin, which inhibits bone resorption. The cells were then exposed to parathormone, prostaglandin E2, or calcitonin, and cAMP formation was quantified. Homologous desensitization (refractoriness to the second exposure to the same hormone) occurred for each hormone and was essentially complete after 30 min of preincubation. Heterologous desensitization to parathormone could be produced in both cell types by 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and prostaglandin E2, but not by calcitonin. Heterologous desensitization was of lesser magnitude, requiring more than 8 h to reach significant proportions. In contrast, the cAMP response to calcitonin and prostaglandin E2 could not be altered by preincubation with any other hormone. Dibutyryl cAMP or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, which are bone-resorptive agents, increased cellular cAMP and caused a slowly developing refractoriness to parathormone, prostaglandin E2, and calcitonin. Calcium (5 mM), an agent which mimics the biochemical action of parathormone in the bone cells but does not affect cAMP similarly desensitized the cells to parathormone, but not to calcitonin and only slightly to prostaglandin E2. These data suggest that heterologous desensitization of bone cells to parathormone results from the initiation of resorption by any agent regardless of whether cAMP is formed during activation of the cells. According to this concept, homologous desensitization to parathormone could involve two components: a rapid phase (< 30 min) and a long term phase, possibly stemming from initiation of resorption.