The role of PTH in mouse skin tumorigenesis

Received: March 15, 2018; Accepted: April 03, 2018; Published: April 06, 2018 Vitamin D and calcium are known to regulate differentiation and proliferation of keratinocytes; they may potentially have roles in suppressing carcinogenesis in squamous epithelium [1]. Indeed, the importance of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in regulating cellular proliferation and differentiation was verified when the skin of mice lacking the VDR was reported to be susceptible to tumor formation [1]. In addition, knockout of the calcium sensing receptor in addition to VDR accelerated the development of skin tumors [2]. However, the role of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) in tumorigenesis is yet to be elucidated. PTH is a classical endocrine hormone that was first identified more than 80 years ago as a key regulator of blood calcium levels [3]. Serum PTH is a sensitive indicator of calcium and vitamin D deficiency.