Calcitonin Receptor Expression in Embryonic, Foetal and Adult Tissues: Developmental and Pathophysiological Implications

Abstract

It has been well established that the calcitonin receptor (CTR) mediates the actions of calcitonin in bone homeostatic mechanisms during growth and in adulthood. However, the widespread expression of CTR in embryonic, foetal and adult tissues together with functional studies implicates the activity of CTR in other physiological and pathophysiological events including wound healing, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. The development of high affinity anti-CTR antibodies has helped define the roles of CTR in organogenesis and pathogenesis, and has focused our attention on the roles of precursor cells that express CTR. These CTR-positive cells are featured in foetal development, cardiovasc..