IBMS BoneKEy | Perspective

Circulating IGF-I and bone remodeling: New insights into old questions

Clifford J Rosen



DOI:10.1138/20080293

Abstract

The role of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in skeletal growth and development has captivated investigators since its discovery fifty years ago. Because IGF-I is ubiquitous yet critical to eukaryotic life, the IGF regulatory system evolved into an exceedingly complex system of ligands, binding proteins, receptors and proteases. Furthermore, both IGFs and the other components of this regulatory system are under the influence of a multitude of genetic, environmental and hormonal determinants. Hence, an answer to one of the most frequently asked question of whether serum IGF-I can predict disease states or determine osteoporotic risk cannot, by its very nature, be simple.


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