Biomaterial Database

Histamine inhibits tumor necrosis factor alpha release by mast cells through H2 and H3 receptors. 1996

E Y Bissonnette

Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.

Histamine was one of the first inflammatory mediators thought to be important in the pathophysiology of asthma, but it is not now thought to be a mediator with primary importance in airway constriction. However, histamine has several effects that may be relevant. One of these effects, its immunoregulatory role, has been largely ignored in asthma. Thus, because mast cells (MC) are an important source of histamine and cytokines, the modulation by histamine of the release of one cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), was investigated. Rat peritoneal MC (PMC) were pretreated with different concentrations of histamine (10(-14) to 10(-4) M) for 2 h before being tested for their TNF alpha-dependent cytotoxicity. A concentration-dependent inhibition of cytotoxicity was observed from 21% at 10(-12) M to 38% at 10(-4) M, reaching a plateau at 10(-8) M. At least 1 h pretreatment with histamine or its presence throughout the cytotoxic assay was required for the inhibitory effect of histamine. This inhibition was abrogated by indomethacin or anti-PGE2, suggesting that PGE2 may be an important mediator in the inhibition of TNF alpha by histamine. To investigate the type of histamine receptor implicated in this effect, PMC were treated for 20 min with H1 (clemastine and diphenhydramine), H2 (ranitidine and cimetidine), or H3 (thioperamide) receptor antagonists before the addition of histamine. H2 or H3 antagonists abrogated the inhibitory effect of histamine on PMC TNF alpha-dependent cytotoxicity. Furthermore, blockage of H2 receptors with ranitidine increased the release of TNF alpha from PMC stimulated with antigen, suggesting that histamine released by MC within 10 min of antigen stimulation downregulates the subsequent release of TNF alpha from the same MC population. These results suggest that histamine may act as an autocrine regulator of cytokine release by MC and thus modulate inflammatory responses in allergic asthma.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008407	Mast Cells	Granulated cells that are found in almost all tissues, most abundantly in the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. Like the BASOPHILS, mast cells contain large amounts of HISTAMINE and HEPARIN. Unlike basophils, mast cells normally remain in the tissues and do not circulate in the blood. Mast cells, derived from the bone marrow stem cells, are regulated by the STEM CELL FACTOR.	Basophils, Tissue,Basophil, Tissue,Cell, Mast,Cells, Mast,Mast Cell,Tissue Basophil,Tissue Basophils
D011970	Receptors, Histamine H2	A class of histamine receptors discriminated by their pharmacology and mode of action. Histamine H2 receptors act via G-proteins to stimulate ADENYLYL CYCLASES. Among the many responses mediated by these receptors are gastric acid secretion, smooth muscle relaxation, inotropic and chronotropic effects on heart muscle, and inhibition of lymphocyte function. (From Biochem Soc Trans 1992 Feb;20(1):122-5)	Histamine H2 Receptors,H2 Receptors,Receptors, H2,H2 Receptors, Histamine
D003603	Cytotoxins	Substances that are toxic to cells; they may be involved in immunity or may be contained in venoms. These are distinguished from CYTOSTATIC AGENTS in degree of effect. Some of them are used as CYTOTOXIC ANTIBIOTICS. The mechanism of action of many of these are as ALKYLATING AGENTS or MITOSIS MODULATORS.	Cytolysins,Cytotoxic Agent,Cytotoxic Agents,Cytotoxin,Agent, Cytotoxic
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005576	Colforsin	Potent activator of the adenylate cyclase system and the biosynthesis of cyclic AMP. From the plant COLEUS FORSKOHLII. Has antihypertensive, positive inotropic, platelet aggregation inhibitory, and smooth muscle relaxant activities; also lowers intraocular pressure and promotes release of hormones from the pituitary gland.	Coleonol,Forskolin,N,N-Dimethyl-beta-alanine-5-(acetyloxy)-3-ethenyldodecahydro-10,10b-dihydroxy-3,4a,7,7,10a-pentamethyl-1-oxo-1H-naphtho(2,1-b)pyran-6-yl Ester HCl,NKH 477,NKH-477,NKH477
D006632	Histamine	An amine derived by enzymatic decarboxylation of HISTIDINE. It is a powerful stimulant of gastric secretion, a constrictor of bronchial smooth muscle, a vasodilator, and also a centrally acting neurotransmitter.	Ceplene,Histamine Dihydrochloride,Histamine Hydrochloride,Peremin
D000242	Cyclic AMP	An adenine nucleotide containing one phosphate group which is esterified to both the 3'- and 5'-positions of the sugar moiety. It is a second messenger and a key intracellular regulator, functioning as a mediator of activity for a number of hormones, including epinephrine, glucagon, and ACTH.	Adenosine Cyclic 3',5'-Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic 3,5 Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic Monophosphate,Adenosine Cyclic-3',5'-Monophosphate,Cyclic AMP, (R)-Isomer,Cyclic AMP, Disodium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monoammonium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monopotassium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Monosodium Salt,Cyclic AMP, Sodium Salt,3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine Cyclic,AMP, Cyclic,Adenosine Cyclic 3',5' Monophosphate,Cyclic 3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine,Cyclic Monophosphate, Adenosine,Cyclic-3',5'-Monophosphate, Adenosine,Monophosphate, Adenosine Cyclic
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000918	Antibody Specificity	The property of antibodies which enables them to react with some ANTIGENIC DETERMINANTS and not with others. Specificity is dependent on chemical composition, physical forces, and molecular structure at the binding site.	Antibody Specificities,Specificities, Antibody,Specificity, Antibody