PARATHYROID HORMONE-RELATED PEPTIDE - A SMOOTH-MUSCLE TONE AND PROLIFERATION REGULATORY PROTEIN

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) appears to play crucial ro les in the cardiovascular system. Over the past few years it has becom e apparent that there is more than one receptor recognizing parathyroi d hormone or PTHrP, or both, and that PTHrP is not only a potent vasod ilator of vascular smooth muscle cell tone, but is also a regulator of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and a secretagogue of renin and vasopressin. Investigators in several laboratories have started t o query whether PTHrP intervenes in vascular diseases such as hyperten sion, (re)stenosis-atherosclerosis and endotoxaemia.