Neurotransmitter regulation of cytosolic calcium in osteoblast-like bone cells

The nervous system may play a role in regulation of bone metabolism. The effects of norepinephrine(NE), vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP), and ATP on cytosolic Ca2+ were assessed in a rat osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line (UMR-106) responsive to PTH. All three transmitters transiently increased Ca2+, with ATP much greater than PTH greater than NE = VIP, and then caused sustained increases in Ca2+. The ATP-induced transient resulted from mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ store, while NE and VIP-induced transients also involved influx of Ca2+. Later sustained increases by all agonists were dependent upon extracellular Ca2+. Release of intracellular Ca2+ by ATP was associated with a marked increase in IP3 but without a significant change in cAMP. NE, VIP, and ATP, through regulation of Ca2+ metabolism, may be involved in various osteoporotic conditions.