Molecular biology and pharmacology of histamine receptor subtypes.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Leurs.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
1. In this study we have investigated the effects of short-term exposure of cells to histamine on the subsequent H1 receptor responsiveness in HeLa cells, using Ca2+ fluorescence microscopy and video digital imaging. 2. In HeLa cells, histamine (100 microM) induces an immediate H1 receptor-mediated biphasic elevation of the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) (basal [Ca2+]i: 81 +/- 30 nM, histamine-induced Ca2+ response: first phase: 1135 +/- 79 nM; second phase: 601 +/- 52 nM, n = 11). 3. The histamine H1 receptors on HeLa cells are readily susceptible to desensitization since repetitive exposure of the same group of cells to histamine (100 microM) markedly affected the release and influx component of the induced Ca2+ response (second application of histamine: first phase: 590 +/- 92 nM, second phase: 279 +/- 47 nM; third application of histamine: first phase: 454 +/- 127 nM, second phase: 240 +/- 45 nM, n = 6). Video digital imaging revealed an increase in the lag time between stimulation and monitoring of the Ca2+ response and a reduced increase in [Ca2+]i after desensitization with histamine. 4. Neither the release component of the ATP response (50 microM) nor the caffeine (3 mM)-induced Ca2+ release were found to be affected by desensitization with 100 microM histamine. However, the second phase of the ATP response was significantly reduced after desensitization with histamine (control cells: 516 +/- 33 nM; desensitized cells: 331 +/- 96 nM, n = 4, P < 0.05).5. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol-12-myristate-1 3-acetate was found to inhibit the histamine as well as ATP-induced Ca2" response in a dose-dependent manner.6. In PKC downregulated cells the second phase of the histamine-induced Ca2+ response was significantly elevated, indicating the involvement of PKC in the negative feedback on the Ca2+ influx(control cells: second phase: 601 +/- 52 nM (n = 11); PKC downregulated cells: second phase:890 +/- 90nM, n = I0, P<0.05).7. Homologous desensitization of H, receptor responsiveness was still observed in PKC downregulated cells, implying the rapid activation of a regulatory mechanism other than PKC.8. Based on our experimental data we suggest that short-term desensitization of the histamine H,receptor evolves from two different processes: a selective reduction of the histamine-induced Ca2+ release, mediated by a PKC-independent pathway, and a non-selective inhibition of the receptormediated Ca2+ influx activated by a PKC-dependent pathway.
We have screened a rat genomic library using DNA probes derived from the sequence of a recently cloned canine histamine H2 receptor (Gantz et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1991, 88, 429-433). An intronless gene, encoding a 358 amino acid protein displaying all major features of G protein-coupled receptors and a 82% overall homology with the canine histamine H2 receptor, was isolated. Northern blot analysis, performed with a probe derived from the rat sequence, revealed a single approximately 6.0 kb transcript in various rat tissues. In the brain, this transcript is highly expressed in brainstem and, to a lesser extent, cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus and hypothalamus. These localizations are consistent with the distribution of the H2 receptor in this species. Among peripheral tissues, the stomach highly expresses the transcript which could not be detected in various other organs. All these features, together with the expression of the cloned gene in mammalian cells (Traiffort et al., submitted), are consistent with the idea that a single rat H2 receptor is encoded by the cloned gene.
Using membrane fractions (MF) from guinea pig alveolar macrophages (AM), we investigated the effects of sensitization and antigen challenge on the stepwise activation of adenylyl cyclase considering receptor binding, G-protein coupling and direct stimulation of the enzyme. Receptor binding studies, using [125I]ICYP as the beta-adrenoceptor specific ligand, show that neither receptor number (Bmax) nor receptor affinity constants (Kd values) were affected by sensitization or antigen challenge. Using forskolin as a direct stimulant of AC, alterations in the enzymatic activity of AC could be excluded. Pretreatment of the different MF with cholera toxin (CT, a toxin which eliminates GTPase activity) and subsequent stimulation of AC with GTP, shows an increased responsiveness in MF from sensitized and antigen challenged AM. In addition, pretreatment of MF from naive AM with increasing doses of CT results in a maximal AC response at the higher concentrations used (50-100 micrograms/mL), an effect not observed in MF from sensitized and antigen challenged AM. In these MF, the AC response still increases after pretreatment with such doses of CT. These data suggest that the enhanced AC responsiveness in AM, induced by sensitization and antigen challenge, results from alterations in alpha s-subunits.
Histamine produces a rapid and massive increase of the c-GMP level of guinea-pig lung tissue. The EC50 value for this in vitro response is found to be 27 microM and the c-GMP level is maximally 9-fold elevated by 100 microM histamine. The response is stereoselectively inhibited by the enantiomers of chlorpheniramine, indicating H1-receptor involvement. Preincubation of lung tissue with 200 microM NCDC, a phospholipase C inhibitor, reduces the histamine (100 microM) responses to 16 +/- 3% (N = 6) of the control c-GMP production. Inhibition of protein kinase C by 50 microM H-7 does not significantly attenuate the H1-receptor response, whereas omittance of extracellular Ca2+ results in almost complete inhibition of the c-GMP production. The histamine-induced c-GMP response is inhibited by hemoglobin, methylene blue and the antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene and nordihydroguaretic acid, indicating the involvement of a nitric oxide-dependent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. This suggestion is supported by the concentration-dependent inhibition of the c-GMP production by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMA). At a concentration of 20 microM NMA the histamine (100 microM) response is inhibited to 34 +/- 8% (N = 6) of the control response. This inhibition is reversed to 127 +/- 20% (N = 6) by the exogenous addition of 1 mM L-arginine. These findings show that after an initial H1-receptor-mediated, phospholipase C-dependent, Ca(2+)-mobilization the enzymatic conversion of L-arginine to nitric oxide is stimulated. This nitric oxide production is finally responsible for the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase, leading to the production of c-GMP.
Prolonged exposure of the guinea-pig intestinal longitudinal smooth muscle to histamine caused homologous desensitization of the H1 receptor, which led to reduced H1 receptor-mediated production of [3H]inositol phosphates as well as to reduced H1 agonist-induced contractions. [3H]Mepyramine binding studies showed that desensitization affected neither the agonist affinity nor the number of H1 receptors. Combining the data from the binding studies and the contraction measurements it was found that desensitization results in a selective reduction of agonist efficacy.
Histamine H1-receptor mediated effects in guinea-pig lung and intestine appear to desensitize homologously rather rapidly. Within a few minutes of exposure to a high concentration of histamine (30-100 microM) the c-GMP production in guinea-pig lung and the contraction of guinea-pig jejunum are markedly attenuated. In both tissues the responses to other stimulating agents (e.g. muscarinic agent, calcium ionophore) are not affected. The protein kinase C (PKC) activating phorbolester phorbol-12,13- dibutyrate (PDB) concentration-dependently depresses H1-receptor responses in both tissues. Yet, PDB does not only attenuate the H1-receptor responses but also affects responses to other stimulating agents. In the guinea-pig ileum muscarinic receptor mediated contractions are inhibited equipotently by PDB, whereas in lung tissue the c-GMP formation after calcium-ionophore addition is affected too. In view of these findings the possible role of PKC in H1-receptor desensitization is discussed.
1. Guinea pig parenchymal lung strips and tracheal smooth muscle contract potently after NaF-addition. Maximal contractions of lung strips and tracheal rings induced by NaF were 208 +/- 17% (n = 6) and 151 +/- 8% (n = 4) of the maximal histamine response respectively. 2. The -log EC50-value for NaF on lung strips and tracheal rings was 2.38 +/- 0.01 (n = 6) and 2.28 +/- 0.01 (n = 4) respectively. 3. Contractions induced by NaF were augmented after Al3+ pretreatment, suggesting the involvement of a G-protein. NaF responses were not affected by blockade of H1-, muscarinic-, leukotriene C4- or leukotriene D4-receptors, indicating that mast cell degranulation or nerve activation is most probably not implicated. 4. Contractions after NaF-addition were relatively insensitive to removal of extracellular calcium and were reversed via cAMP- and cGMP-mediated pathways. 5. Relaxation studies with (-)isoprenaline and 8-bromo-cGMP on lung strips, precontracted to similar levels with either a H1-agonist, KCl or NaF, showed that the level of relaxation depends on the contractile agent that is used. 6. After precontraction with KCl (-)isoprenaline relaxes lung strips only to 58 +/- 9% (n = 5) of the initial contraction, whereas lung strips precontracted with NaF or a H1-agonist relax 114 +/- 8% (n = 4) and 120 +/- 7% (n = 5) respectively with (-)isoprenaline. 7. Similar results were obtained with relaxation induced with 8-bromo-cGMP. 8. These findings suggest that NaF-induced contractions are elicited via a mechanism, that is probably similar to that of the H1-receptor. The involvement of a G-protein in the observed NaF-responses is therefore likely.
1. In this study we have evaluated the possible contribution of acetylcholine release in histamine-induced contractions of guinea-pig large and small intestinal smooth muscle. Moreover, the presence of the histamine receptor types involved in smooth muscle relaxations and inhibition of electrically-induced twitches was studied by use of several selective agents. 2. Histamine-induced contractions appeared to be a pure H1-receptor-mediated effect. Responses were not attenuated by the presence of 0.1 microM atropine and were competitively and stereoselectively inhibited by the two enantiomers of chlorpheniramine with pA2 values of 6.73 +/- 0.08, 7.30 +/- 0.06, 6.93 +/- 0.03 and 7.19 +/- 0.04 for the L-isomer and 8.63 +/- 0.09, 8.85 +/- 0.09, 9.01 +/- 0.16 and 0.11 for the D-isomer in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon, respectively. 3. There appeared to be a marked regional difference in sensitivity to histamine. In ileal and jejunal preparations pD2 values of 6.24 +/- 0.06 (n = 22) and 6.37 +/- 0.07 (n = 22) were found, whereas the pD2 values in the duodenum and colon were 5.55 +/- 0.05 (n = 36) and 5.68 +/- 0.06 (n = 31) respectively. 4. This regional difference in sensitivity to histamine was not due to variations in receptor affinity since pA2 values for the two enantiomers of chlorpheniramine did not differ markedly among the four tested preparations. Since a similar variation in sensitivity was found for methacholine, it is likely that the signal transfer mechanism in guinea-pig ileum and jejunum is more efficient than in the duodenum and colon. 5. The H2-agonists dimaprit and impromidine relaxed methacholine-precontracted (+/- 70% of maximum contraction) intestine at high concentrations (pD2 values of 3.79 + 0.03 and 4.44 + 0.09 for the jejunum). These relaxations could not be antagonized by 0.1 microM tiotidine, famotidine or mifentidine and were observed in all parts of the intestine investigated. 6. The dimaprit analogues nordimaprit and homodimaprit (inactive at H2-receptors) were equipotent in relaxing the methacholine-precontracted smooth muscle. Since several H2-antagonists were also able to produce relaxations, we do not consider these relaxations to be mediated by a H2-receptor subtype, but to be due to some nonspecific effects at the high concentrations used. 7. The histamine receptor involved in the inhibition of electrically-induced contractions in the presence of atropine could be classified as an H3-receptor effect. In all parts of the intestine the H3-agonist R-alpha-amethylhistamine inhibited the twitches with pD2 values ranging from 8.10 + 0.06 (ileum) to 8.27 + 0.03(colon). This effect was competitively antagonized with the selective H3-antagonist thioperamine (pA2 values are 8.09 + 0.07, 8.13 + 0.05, 8.15 + 0.04 and 8.36 + 0.04 in duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon, respectively. 8. The guinea-pig intestine is a suitable preparation for the evaluation of either H1- or H3-receptor effects. H2-receptors, causing smooth muscle relaxation appear not to be present in our preparations. At high concentrations of H2-receptor agents (agonists and antagonists) relaxations might be observed, due to unknown nonspecific effects.
Ebselen is a new anti-inflammatory drug with a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. Since this compound might be useful in diseases related to airway inflammation we evaluated the effects of ebselen on the contractile responses of guinea-pig parenchymal lung strip. Ebselen and its sulfur analogue RP 62373 depressed both histamine H1-receptor-mediated and KCl-induced (50 mM) contractions of guinea-pig lung strips equipotently. The responses to histamine were only affected via depression of the maximal response; treatment with 3 microM ebselen for 30 min resulted in depression to 77 +/- 5% of the control value, whereas 10 and 30 microM inhibited the contractions to 53 +/- 4 and 52 +/- 4% of the control value respectively. The responses after membrane depolarisation (50 mM KCl) were less sensitive to ebselen pretreatment; 10 microM ebselen inhibited contractions by only 20%, whereas 30 and 100 microM depressed the response by approximately 50%. These observations were evaluated in the context of the activities of ebselen already described. The effects of lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, protein kinase C inhibition and thiol alkylation were studied, using established agents. However, although interaction with critical thiol groups might explain our data, the mode of action of ebselen is yet not fully elucidated.
The beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (-)-3-[125I]iodocyanopindolol ([125I]ICYP) binds with high affinity and in saturable way to membranes of guinea pig alveolar macrophages. The equilibrium dissociation constant for [125I]ICYP is 24.3 +/- 1.2 pM, and the number of binding sites is 166.3 +/- 13.7 fmol/mg protein (N = 4, +/- SEM). Displacement studies with selective antagonists showed that [125I]ICYP labels beta 2-adrenoceptors on guinea pig alveolar macrophages.
In the present study we characterized [3H]-mepyramine binding to rat liver plasma membranes. Binding of [3H]-mepyramine proved to be of high affinity (Kd = 7.7 +/- 0.4 nM) and saturable, resulting in a Bmax-value of 70.4 +/- 9.5 pmol/mg protein. However, displacement studies revealed that this binding site was different from other H1-receptor systems. The two stereoisomers of chlorpheniramine were rather ineffective in displacing [3H]-mepyramine and showed a stereospecificity in favour of the L-isomer. Also several H1-receptor agonists were not potent in displacing [3H]-mepyramine from rat liver plasma membranes. Moreover, the histamine metabolite imidazole-4-acetic acid was about as potent as the H1-agonists, whereas imidazole was even more potent. These data strongly suggest that [3H]-mepyramine labels a non-H1-receptor binding site on the rat liver plasma membrane.
Guinea-pig parenchymal lung strips contract after H1-receptor stimulation and membrane depolarisation with KCl. Contractions after 50 mM KCl were similar to the maximal histamine response. Treatment of lung strips with micromolar concentrations of the thiol-alkylator N-ethylmaleimide markedly affects both histamine H1-receptor mediated and 50 mM KCl-induced contractions. The H1-receptor response was only affected via a decrease in the maximal response. The response to 50 mM KCl was also inhibited after thiol-alkylation. However, H1-receptor responses appeared to be slightly more sensitive towards thiol-alkylation compared to KCl-responses. Reduction of disulphide groups with 1,4-dithiothreitol also modified the contractile responses to both stimuli. It is concluded that both thiol- and disulphide moieties play important roles in the regulation of histamine H1-receptor activity.
In this review the three main types of histamine receptors are discussed together with their specific ligands. For the classical H1-receptors much emphasis is put on the mechanism by which the receptor is stimulated. For the H1- and H2-receptor the review includes information on the several models available for establishing agonistic or antagonistic activity. In the section on the H3-receptor the ligands are discussed as well as the possible physiological role of this receptor. In the final paragraphs some less well defined activities are presented.
1. In the present study we investigated desensitization phenomena of guinea-pig jejunal longitudinal smooth muscle responses after stimulation with 100 microM histamine or methacholine, using a superfusion method. 2. Histamine H1-receptor-mediated contractions appear to be rapidly reduced after application of 100 microM histamine. Muscarinic responses were not affected following desensitization with 100 microM histamine, indicating a homologous desensitization. 3. Initial contractions to 0.3 microM histamine were reduced by 90%, recovered quickly, but did not reach control levels within 1 h. Desensitization of histamine responses could be separated into two phases; a rapid, but transient, desensitization and a more sustained desensitization. As a consequence of this sustained effect the pD2 for histamine shifted from 6.7 +/- 0.1 (control) to 6.1 +/- 0.1 (desensitized). 4. Desensitization with 100 microM methacholine caused a heterologous desensitization, reflected by the development of a refractory period, in which neither histamine nor methacholine was able to elicit a contraction. After a few minutes responses to both agents recovered to control levels. 5. During the refractory period after methacholine desensitization, muscle strips were still responsive to 40 mM KCl but did not contract in response to 10 mM caffeine, suggesting that the heterologous desensitization is caused by a modification of an intracellular Ca2(+)-store, which is used by both histamine and methacholine. 6. The recovery of the responses after methacholine desensitization was not dependent on extracellular Ca2+, suggesting that the recovery is not dependent on refilling of the intracellular Ca2+ store with extracellular Ca2+. 7. The protein kinase C activator, phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, concentration-dependently inhibited histamine- and methacholine-induced contractions. Protein kinase C seems therefore not to be implicated in the observed homologous H,-receptor desensitization. 8. These data suggest that different forms of desensitization can be distinguished in this model, each with a different time course and dependent on the applied stimulus.
Chronic exposure to several types of mineral dust particles induces an inflammatory reaction in the lung. Dust particles activate alveolar macrophages and prime leukocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils), leading to an enhanced release of reactive oxygen species. Sometimes mineral dust particles also contain radicals. Reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and singlet oxygen) may lead to tissue damage. These are able to break DNA strands, to destroy proteins, and to induce the process of lipid peroxidation. The effects of oxygen radicals on the beta-adrenergic and muscarinic receptor response of the guinea pig and rat tracheal strip are described. The beta-adrenergic receptor response appeared to be more susceptible to oxidative stress than the muscarinic receptor response. This may lead to an autonomic imbalance on exposure to oxygen radicals. The lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2,3-trans-nonenal diminished the beta-adrenergic responsiveness in guinea pig tracheal preparations. Histologic examinations indicated that at low concentrations of cumene hydroperoxide (10(-4) M) the epithelial layer of rat trachea was already destroyed, whereas no effect on the muscarinic response was found. Oxygen radical-mediated damage in lung tissue may lead to lung emphysema, hyperresponsiveness, and hypersensitivity. Pharmacotherapeutic interventions that prevent initiation or propagation of these free radical reactions may have a beneficial effect in mineral dust-associated lung disease.
Rat liver plasma membrane contains a saturable, high affinity binding site for the labelled histamine H1-antagonist [3H]mepyramine. Nonlinear regression analysis of the performed saturation experiments revealed an equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of 7.7 +/- 0.4 nM and a maximal binding capacity (Bmax) of 70.4 +/- 9.5 pmol/mg protein. Specific binding could be inhibited completely by several histaminergic ligands. However, the affinities of the tested H1-antagonists other than mepyramine for this binding site were quite low and the known stereospecificity displayed by the histamine H1-receptor for the enantiomers of chlorpheniramine and pheniramine was not found. Moreover, the H2-selective agonist 4-methylhistamine (Ki = 412 microM) was even more potent than its H1-selective 2-methylderivative (Ki = 772 microM). Since several ethylenediamines were also very potent in displacing [3H]mepyramine we suggest the presence of an ethylenediamine recognition site on rat liver plasma membrane which is unrelated to the histamine H1-receptor. It is stressed that a proper pharmacological characterization of a reported binding site is needed, since we show in this study that [3H]mepyramine, which is frequently used in studies concerning the H1-receptor, labels non-H1-receptor binding sites in rat liver plasma membrane.
In this study we investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the histamine H1-receptor mediated contraction of guinea-pig parenchymal lung strips. Lung strips contract after administration of the PKC activators phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and dioctanoylglycerol. Prolonged stimulation (45 min.) with a high concentration of PMA abolished subsequent responses to PMA whereas H1-responses were only partially reduced. Administration of a PKC inhibitor (H-7) also led to an inhibition of H1-responses. Experiments with combined incubations with the PKC inhibitor H-7 and the Ca2+-entry blocker verapamil suggest that the PKC contribution to the response is possibly mediated via regulation of Ca2+ influx.