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Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to cell invasion and metastasis during the progression of epithelial cancers. Though preclinical evidence suggests a role for histamine H4 receptor (H4R) in breast cancer growth, its function in the EMT is less known. In this study we proposed to investigate the effects of H4R ligands on EMT and mammosphere formation as a surrogate assay for cancer stem cells in breast cancer cells with different invasive phenotype. We also investigated the participation of Src and TGF-β signaling in these events. Breast cancer cells were treated with the H4R agonists Clobenpropit, VUF8430 and JNJ28610244 and the H4R antagonist JNJ7777120. Immunodetection studies showed cytoplasmic E-cadherin, cytoplasmic and nuclear beta-catenin, nuclear Slug and an increase in vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin expression. There was also an enhancement in cell migration and invasion assessed by transwell units. All these effects were prevented by JNJ7777120. Moreover, H4R agonists induced an increase in phospho-Src levels detected by Western blot. Results revealed the involvement of phospho-Src in EMT events. Upon treatment with H4R agonists there was an increase in phospho-ERK1/2 and TGF-β1 levels by Western blot, in Smad2/3 positive nuclei by indirect immunofluorescence, and in tumor spheres formation by the mammosphere assay. Notably, the selective TGF-β1 kinase/activin receptor-like kinase inhibitor A83-01 blocked these effects. Moreover, cells derived from mammospheres exhibited higher Slug expression and enhanced migratory behavior. Collectively, findings support the interaction between H4R and TGF-β receptor signaling in the enhancement of EMT features and mammosphere formation and point out intracellular TGF-β1 as a potential mediator of these events. Fil: Galarza, Tamara Ester. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; Argentina Fil: Táquez Delgado, Mónica Alejandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Mohamad, Nora A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina Fil: Martin, Gabriela Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina Fil: Cricco, Graciela P.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina

Millions of people worldwide are suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which severely affects patients' life qualities and even life expectancies. The cause of the ailment is unknown and a profound understanding of the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms is still lacking. The biogenic amine histamine is one of several inflammatory mediators, to which a pathogenetic role in IBD has been attributed. Out of the four known histamine receptors, the histamine H4 receptor (H4R) has been demonstrated to act proinflammatory in experimental models of several inflammatory diseases. In order to evaluate a potential involvement of H4R in IBD we investigated the effect of genetic or pharmacological blockade of H4R-signaling in the model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. We analysed severity and progression of clinical signs of colitis, as well as histopathologic alterations in the colons and systemic or local cytokine concentrations. Both genetic deficiency and pharmacological blockade of H4R with the selective antagonist JNJ7777120 improved clinical and histological signs of colitis and dampened the inflammatory cytokine response. Our results indicate a proinflammatory role of histamine via H4R in IBD, thus extending the current pathophysiological understanding of IBD and demonstrating the therapeutic potential of selective H4R-antagonists for patients suffering from IBD.

Histamine receptors are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Canonically, the histamine H2-receptor (H2R) couples to Gs-proteins and activates adenylyl cyclases (ACs) with subsequent adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) generation. Recently, the classic two-state model describing GPCR activation has been extended to a multiple-state model implying that any ligand stabilizes a ligand-specific receptor conformation, also referred to as functional selectivity. In our present study we pharmacologically characterized the H2R in human monocytes. We found dissociations in the effects of histamine (HA) and H2R agonists on cAMP accumulation and inhibition of formyl peptide-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, we excluded participation of protein kinase A (PKA) in HA-induced ROS inhibition. Comparison of the potencies and efficacies of H2R agonists in monocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils unmasked cell type-specific pharmacological profiles of individual ligands. Taken together, our data extend the concept of functional selectivity to the H2R in human monocytes and demonstrate striking cell-type specificity in the pharmacological profile of the H2R.

In the intestine of patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease concentrations of histamine are increased compared to healthy controls. Genetic ablation of histamine production in mice ameliorates the course of experimentally induced colitis. These observations and first pharmacological studies indicate a function of histamine in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. However, a closer examination reveals that available data are highly heterogeneous, limiting the rational design of strategies addressing specific histamine receptor subtypes as possible target for pharmacological interaction. However, very recently first clinical data indicate that antagonism at the histamine receptor subtype H4 provides a beneficial effect in at least the skin. Here, we discuss the available data on histamine effects and histamine receptor subtype functions in inflammatory bowel disease with a special emphasis on the histamine H4-receptor.

Eosinophils play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Histamine activates eosinophils via the H(4)-receptor (H(4)R). However, pharmacological analysis of the H(4)R in eosinophils is still incomplete, and cell purity is a problem. The H(4)R antagonist 1-[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]-4-methylpiperazine (JNJ7777120) has recently been reported to exhibit paradoxical stimulatory effects in some systems. Therefore, the first aim of our study was to pharmacologically re-examine H(x)R subtypes on human eosinophils using a highly purified preparation (97±2%). The second aim was to compare the effects of histamine with those induced by well-known activators of eosinophil functions, i.e. eotaxin-1 and formyl peptides. Histamine and the H(4)R-selective agonist 2-cyano-1-[4-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)butyl]-3-[(2-phenylthio)ethyl]guanidine (UR-PI376) increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and activated chemotaxis. JNJ7777120 per se exhibited no stimulatory effects but inhibited stimulation by histamine and UR-PI376. Blockade of the H(2)R by famotidine enhanced histamine-induced chemotaxis but not rises in [Ca(2+)](i). Compared to eotaxin and formyl peptides, the effect of histamine on eosinophil chemotaxis was only small. Formyl peptides but not histamine activated reactive oxygen species formation and release of eosinophil peroxidase. In conclusion, histamine is only an incomplete eosinophil activator with the H(2)R blunting the small chemotactic response to H(4)R activation. We also noted several differences in potencies of histamine, UR-PI376 and JNJ7777120 in calcium and chemotaxis assays and when compared to results in the literature. This indicates functional selectivity of H(4)R ligands, thus ligand-specific stabilization of distinct receptor conformations, inducing distinct biological responses.

A surface plasmon resonance biosensor assay was established for studying the interactions of 51 histaminergic and 15 GABAergic ligands with homo-oligomeric β3 GABA(A) receptors. Detergent solubilized receptors were successfully immobilized via affinity-capture on biosensor surfaces. The interaction kinetics of both histaminergic and GABAergic ligands were very rapid but affinities could be determined by steady-state analysis. Binding of several GABAergic ligands was observed, in agreement with previous data. Histamine and 16 histaminergic ligands were detected to directly bind to β3 GABA(A) receptors with micromolar affinity (K(D)

The human histamine H(4) receptor (hH(4)R), co-expressed with Galpha(i2) and Gbeta(1)gamma(2) in Sf9 cells, is highly constitutively active. In the steady-state GTPase assay, the full agonist histamine (HA) induces only a relatively small signal (approximately 20-30%), resulting in a low signal-to background ratio. In order to improve this system for ligand screening purposes, the effects of the regulators of G-protein signaling (RGS) RGS4 and RGS19 (GAIP) were investigated. RGS4 and GAIP were fused to the C-terminus of hH(4)R or co-expressed with non-fused hH(4)R, always combined with Galpha(i2) and Gbeta(1)gamma(2). The non-fused RGS proteins did not significantly increase the relative effect of HA. With the hH(4)R-RGS4 fusion protein the absolute GTPase activities, but not the relative HA-induced signal were increased. Fusion of hH(4)R with GAIP caused a selective increase of the HA signal, resulting in an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio. A detailed characterization of the hH(4)R-GAIP fusion protein (co-expressed with Galpha(i2) and Gbeta(1)gamma(2)) and a comparison with the data obtained for the non-fused hH(4)R (co-expressed with Galpha(i2) and Gbeta(1)gamma(2)) led to the following results: (i) the relative agonist- and inverse agonist-induced signals at hH(4)R-GAIP are markedly increased. (ii) Compared to the wild-type hH(4)R, standard ligands show unaltered potencies and efficacies at hH(4)R-GAIP. (iii) Like hH(4)R, hH(4)R-GAIP shows high and NaCl-resistant constitutive activity. (iv) hH(4)R-GAIP shows the same G-protein selectivity profile as the non-fused hH(4)R. Collectively, hH(4)R-GAIP provides a sensitive test system for the characterization of hH(4)R ligands and can replace the non-fused hH(4)R in steady-state GTPase assays.

In dibutyryl cAMP-differentiated human leukemia (HL-60) cells, the potent histamine H1-receptor agonist, 2-(3-chlorophenyl)histamine, activates pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins) of the Gi-subfamily by a mechanism which is independent of known histamine receptor subtypes (Seifert et al. Mol Pharmacol45: 578–586, 1994). In order to learn more about this G-protein activation, we studied the effects of histamine and various 2-substituted histamine derivatives in various cell types and on purified G-proteins. In HL-60 cells, histamine and 2-methylhistamine increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in a clemastine-sensitive manner. Phenyl- and thienyl-substituted histamines increased [Ca2+]i as well, but their effects were not inhibited by histamine receptor antagonists. 2-Substituted histamines activated high-affinity GTPase in HL-60 cell membranes in a PTX-sensitive manner, with the lipophilicity of substances increasing their effectiveness. Although HEL cells do not possess histamine receptors mediating rises in [Ca2+]i, 2-(3-bromophenyl)histamine increased [Ca2+]i in a PTX-sensitive manner. It also increased GTP hydrolysis by Gi-proteins in HEL cell membranes. All these stimulatory effects of 2-substituted histamine derivatives were seen at concentrations higher than those required for activation of H1-receptors. In various other cell types and membrane systems, 2-substituted histamine derivatives showed no or only weak stimulatory effects on G-proteins. 2-Substituted histamine derivatives activated GTP hydrolysis by purified bovine brain Gi/Go-proteins and by pure Gi2 (the major PTX-sensitive G-protein in HL-60 and HEL cells). Our data suggest the following: (1) histamine and 2-methylhistamine act as H1-receptor agonists in HL-60 cells; (2) incorporation of bulky and lipophilic groups results in loss of H1-agonistic activity of 2-substituted histamine derivatives in HL-60 cells but causes a receptor-independent G-protein-stimulatory activity; (3) the effects of 2-substituted histamine derivatives on G-proteins are cell-type specific.

When HL-60 cells were stimulated with histamine, a significant differentiation of the cells toward neutrophils was elicited. Histamine increased phagocytic activity, but it reduced myeloperoxidase activity of HL-60 cells. Histamine-induced differentiation in HL-60 cells was inhibited not only by H2 antagonists, such as cimetidine, ranitidine and famotidine, but also by an inhibitor of protein kinase A (A kinase), KT-5720. Histamine increased the cAMP level and A kinase activity in HL-60 cells; both increases preceded the cell differentiation. Histamine also enhanced phosphorylation of a 160 kD protein in HL-60 cells, while H2 antagonists and KT-5720 inhibited this phosphorylation. The results of the present study indicate that an activation of A kinase via H2 receptor stimulation may cause the phosphorylation of a 160 kD protein and that this phosphorylation is probably involved in the process leading to differentiation of HL-60 cells.

Androgen-independent prostate cancer cells DU-145 express a number of G protein-coupled receptors, including histamine H 1 receptors. There is evidence for the presence of β-adrenoceptors in the human prostate, and in this work we set out to characterise the expression of β-adrenoceptors by DU-145 cells, their linking to cyclic AMP (cAMP) formation and the possible modulation by histamine H 1 receptors of β-adrenoceptor function. Saturation [ 3 H]-dihydroalprenolol binding indicated that DU-145 cells express moderate levels of β-adrenoceptors (22.7 ± 2.5 fmol/mg protein), which belong to the β 2 -subtype as assessed by inhibition by the antagonists ICI-118,551 and CGP-20712A. Inhibition of [ 3 H]-dihydroalprenolol binding by agonists (noradrenaline, adrenaline and isoproterenol) showed the presence of both high-(53–59%) and low-affinity binding sites. β-Adrenoceptor stimulation with isoproterenol resulted in robust [ 3 H]-cAMP accumulation (10–30-fold of basal, EC 50 142 nM; pEC 50 6.85 ± 0.05). While not having effect of its own on basal [ 3 H]-cAMP accumulation, histamine significantly augmented the β 2 -adrenoceptor-induced response (overall effect 152 ± 6% of isoproterenol alone) with EC 50 1.35 μM (pEC 50 5.87 ± 0.06). This effect was independent of extracellular Ca 2+ , insensitive to antagonists/agonists at H 1 , H 2 or H 3 /H 4 receptors and mimicked by drugs containing an imidazole ring in their chemical structure and by imidazole itself. Taken together, our results show that in DU-145 cells histamine augments β 2 -adrenoceptor-induced cAMP independently of the activation of known histamine receptors. The effect may involve other mechanisms such as allosteric modulation of β 2 -adrenoceptors by the imidazole moiety of histamine.

2-Phenyl-1, 2-benzisoselenazol-3-(2H)one (ebselen), a nontoxic seleno-organic compound, exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of many enzymes involved in inflammation. In view of the role played by histamine in the pathophysiology of inflammation, we looked at the effect of ebselen on histamine secretion by rat peritoneal mast cells. It inhibited compound 48/80-induced histamine release in a concentration-dependent manner. Half-maximal and maximal (100%) inhibitory response occurred at 5.10(-7)M and 10(-5)M, respectively. In contrast, ebselen was without any effect on histamine release induced immunologically. Prevention of the inhibitory effect of ebselen by GSH suggests that it interacts with critical thiols involved in the compound 48/80 activation pathway.

We have studied the effect of the protein phosphatase (PP) inhibitor, okadaic acid (OKA) on histamine release elicited by immunologic and non-immunologic stimuli in peritoneal and pleural rat mast cells. When cells were stimulated with antigen (egg albumin), OKA strongly inhibited histamine release. This finding suggests that PP1 and PP2A substrates mediate immunoglobulin E- (IgE) dependent secretion in mast cells. In contrast, after non-immunologic activation of mast cells with different drugs, such as the neuropeptide growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) and the cytostatic agents Adriamycin, navelbine and mitoxantrone, there is no effect of OKA on histamine secretion. These results indicate that IgE-dependent secretion is mediated by substrates of PP1 and PP2A, whereas following nonimmunological stimuli, they activate pathways that lead to protein phosphorylation; these proteins are not substrates of PP1 and PP2A.

Adenosine, at physiological concentrations, may modulate histamine release from mechanically dispersed human lung mast cells. Addition of adenosine to the dispersed mast cells at times up to 5 min before immunological challenge with anti-human IgE inhibited histamine release. When added after this time adenosine caused a small potentiation of immunological histamine release, maximum potentiation occurring with addition of adenosine 5 min after challenge, coincidental with the end of the rapid phase of histamine release. Both inhibition and potentiation of histamine release were more pronounced with low levels of immunological challenge. Theophylline, 8-phenyltheophylline, dipyridamole and analogues of adenosine were used to determine the site of action of adenosine on mast cell mediator release. Theophylline and 8-phenyltheophylline displaced the concentration-response lines for both inhibition and potentiation of mediator release by adenosine to the right whilst dipyridamole, 1 microM, was without significant effect. This suggests that both effects result from interaction of adenosine with cell surface receptors. This was confirmed by demonstrating that the P-site agonist 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine produced only inhibition of histamine release, an effect which was inhibited by dipyridamole but not by theophylline. The rank potency order of adenosine analogues, NECA much greater than adenosine greater than or equal to L-PIA greater than or equal to D-PIA in both inhibiting and potentiating immunological histamine release suggests that both effects are mediated through activation of cell surface A2-purinoceptors. Since adenosine is released into the circulation of asthmatic subjects following bronchial provocation with antigen, causes bronchoconstriction and has the ability to modulate mast cell histamine release, this nucleoside should be considered as an additional inflammatory mediator of allergic reactions.

Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) produced by antigen challenge to antibody-sensitized rats were interfered with by prior treatment with pertussis toxin, an islet-activating protein (IAP). The degree of interference was dependent on the dose and injection time of IAP; the effect of IAP developed slowly, with a maximal effect being observed 3 days later. Inhibition of PCA by IAP was associated with a decrease in histamine release from peritoneal mast cells, making it very likely that the process affected was mast cell secretion. Much less histamine was discharged in vitro, in response to certain membrane receptor (e.g. IgE receptor) stimulation, from mast cells that had been exposed to IAP than from the cells not exposed. Such an inhibitory effect of IAP was not observed when histamine release was provoked by a calcium ionophore without mediation of membrane receptors. IAP was a stronger inhibitor of histamine release than beta-adrenergic agonists. Further inhibition was produced when a beta-agonist was added to IAP-treated mast cells. The increase in the cellular content of cyclic AMP was associated with beta-agonist-induced, but not with IAP-induced, inhibition of histamine release. Thus, IAP inhibited histamine release by a mechanism in which metabolism of cyclic AMP was not directly involved.

Intact cells and homogenate preparations of several lines of cultured calf-aorta smooth muscle cells contained adenylate cyclase activity stimulated markedly (2- to 3-fold) by epinephrine, histamine and serotonin. Pharmacological studies indicated the separate and independent nature of these three receptor-adenylate cyclase systems. Only the epinephrine response could be blocked by propranolol or be desensitized by pretreating with epinephrine. The serotonin-stimulated adenylate cyclase appeared to differ from other serotonin receptor systems in that it was refractory to all of the classical serotonin antagonists tested, with the exception of methysergide. Characterization of the histamine receptor, with the use of various H1 and H2 histamine agonists and antagonists, demonstrated it to be exclusively of the H2 type. In this system, impromidine, a reported potent H2 agonist, behaved as a mixed agonist-antagonist with a strong inhibitory effect on histamine stimulation. The high sensitivity of the histamine H2 stimulated adenylate cyclase in the cultured smooth muscle cells makes this a useful system for studies of regulation of the histamine receptor in vitro as well as for screening putative H2 antagonists and agonists.

Kinins are potent proinflammatory peptides that induce histamine release from rodent mast cells. We examined the ability of bradykinin, lysylbradykinin and a series of kinin analogs to cause histamine release from human basophils, human lung mast cells and human skin mast cells. At concentrations ranging from 0.1 microM to 1 mM, bradykinin failed to cause histamine release from any of the human histamine-containing cells studied. Lysylbradykinin was also without effect on basophils and lung mast cells, but was a weak secretagogue for human skin mast cells, inducing 5.5 +/- 3% (mean +/- SD) of total cellular histamine release at a concentration of 10(-5) M. Similarly, when sixteen recently developed bradykinin antagonists were examined, these compounds had no effect on basophils or lung mast cells but all sixteen induced dose-dependent histamine release from skin mast cells. The release process was temperature dependent and, at a concentration of 10(-5) M, the antagonists induced 8-27% histamine release. Although preincubation of cells with 10(-3) M bradykinin or des(Arg9) bradykinin significantly inhibited antagonist-induced histamine release, the requirement for such high concentrations of these peptides to cause inhibition suggested that histamine release is not mediated by either B1 or B2 kinin receptors. To understand further the mechanism of histamine release, we examined a series of bradykinin analogs with single amino acid substitutions in the bradykinin sequence. Replacement of proline7 in the bradykinin sequence with D-phenylalanine is the essential change used to convert kinin analogs into antagonists, and 10(-5) M [DPhe7]-bradykinin induced 8-10% histamine release. Other analogs, devoid of antagonist activity, however, such as [DPhe6]-bradykinin and [LPhe7]-bradykinin were able to induce equivalent levels of histamine release. The ability to induce histamine release appears to be related, at least in part, to aromaticity, since [DTrp6]-bradykinin and [DTrp7]-bradykinin induced greater amounts of histamine release than equivalent [DPhe]-analogs, causing approximately 20% histamine release at 10(-5) M. By contrast, [DAla7]-bradykinin was an ineffective stimulus. In summary, a single amino acid substitution can convert bradykinin into a secretagogue for human skin mast cells. The ability of kinin analogs to induce histamine release from skin mast cells, but not lung mast cells or basophils, emphasizes the heterogeneity of human histamine-containing cells.

The effect of bradykinin and prostaglandin E 1 on the histamine content and on the uptake of histamine by murine neoplastic mast cells has been investigated in vitro . Bradykinin was found capable of blocking histamine uptake without causing the release of histamine; prostaglandin E 1 did not interfere either with the release or with the uptake of histamine. The possible mechanisms of mutual interactions between bradykinin and histamine are discussed.

An irreversible inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase, alpha-fluoromethylhistidine (FMH), was used to inhibit histamine formation by mast cells in vivo. Even at doses of FMH sufficient to reduce histamine formation more than 95%, the ability of mast cells to synthesize histamine recovered rapidly. It was possible, however, to sustain levels of histamine-forming activity below 10% of normal with continuous administration of FMH from subcutaneously implanted osmotic pumps. Administration of FMH under these conditions did not deplete significantly mast cell histamine but did prevent the increase in total mast cell histamine that occurs over 14 days and also prevented the reconstitution of mast cell histamine stores after depletion by treatment with polymyxin B.

The release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells by compound 48 80 was inhibited by high concentrations of 6N-O-dibutyryladenosine-3',5'-cyclic-monophosphate (DB-c-AMP). Several other adenine nucleotides were ineffective at comparable concentrations. The histamine release promoted by compound 48 80 was also inhibited by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and the phosphodiesterase inhibitors, theophylline, reserpine, diethylaminoethylreserpine and perphenazine. With the exception of theophylline, these inhibitors themselves produced a less dramatic release of histamine. Although the concentrations required for inhibition of histamine release are quite high, the data obtained for DB-c-AMP, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and PGE1 can be viewed as circumstantial evidence in support of a role for c-AMP in the histamine release process of the mast cell.