Effects of calcitonin on the function of human osteoclast-like cells formed from CD14-positive monocytes

Calcitonin inhibits bone-resorbing activity of osteoclasts. Expression of mRNA of calcitonin receptor (CTR) and its related proteins was examined in human osteoclasts and their progenitors. CD14-positive (CD14 + macrophages) in the monocytes prepared from human peripheral blood cells differentiated into macrophages (CD14 +) presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) or into osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) in the presence of M-CSF plus receptor activator of NFkappaB ligand. CD14 macrophages expressed mRNA of CTR-like receptor (CRLR), receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) 1, RAMP2, and RAMP3, but not CTR. In contrast, OCLs expressed mRNA of CTR but not CRLR or RAMPs. Human OCLs cultured on dentine slices formed actin rings (corresponding to clear zones) and resorption pits on the slices. Calcitonin disrupted actin rings and inhibited the pit-forming activity of OCLs. CTR is known to couple to cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC). The effect of calcitonin on actin ring disruption was partially blocked by adding H-7, an inhibitor of both PKA and PKC. Both forskolin, an activator of PKA, and phorbol myristate, an activator of PKC, disrupted actin rings in OCLs. These results suggest that both PKA- and PKC-mediated signals are involved in calcitonin-induced inhibition of human OCL function.