Parathyroid hormone-related protein-induced hypercalcemia in SCID mice engrafted with adult T-cell leukemia cells

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is considered to be one of the main causes of hypercalcemia associated with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). To clarify the role of PTHrP and bone remodeling in the development of hypercalcemia in ATL, we examined the SCID mouse model of ATL that has previously been shown to mimic the disease in humans. Using this model, we found clear elevations in serum levels of calcium and C-terminal PTHrP (C-PTHrP). PTHrP mRNA was highly expressed in ATL cells proliferating in vivo. After the development of hypercalcemia, ATL mice were killed and bone histomorphometric analysis was performed. Bone volume was clearly decreased in the ATL mice. In comparison to control SCID mice, bone formation indices were very low in the ATL mice. Surprisingly, no significant difference was detected between the ATL mice and the control SCID mice in eroded surface/bone surface (ES/BS), a parameter of bone resorption. To our knowledge, the model presented here is the first animal model of ATL with humoral hypercalcemia. This is in contrast to previously reported, well-characterized animal models of human solid tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM). Furthermore, this model not only provides us with the opportunity to study the mechanisms underlying development of elevated calcium levels in ATL, but also allows us to test new therapeutic agents designed to treat hypercalcemia.