Simultaneous induction of histidine and ornithine decarboxylases and changes in their product amines following the injection of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide into mice

Stimulation of the synthesis of histamine and putrescine in mice by a peptidoglycan of gram-positive bacteria

To clarify the base of in vivo biological activities of peptidoglycans of Gram-positive bacteria, the effects of a polysaccharide peptide of Staphylococcus epidermidis peptidoglycan (SEPS) on the synthesis of histamine and putrescine in BALB/c mice were examined and compared with those of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin) of Gram-negative bacteria. Within a few hours after its injection into BALB/c mice, SEPS induced histidine decarboxylase (HDC), the enzyme forming histamine, in the liver, lung, spleen and bone marrow, and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the enzyme forming putrescine, in the tissues except for the lung. SEPS induced HDC activity even in mast cell-deficient mice and in nude mice. These effects of SEPS were essentially the same as those of LPS. However, the dosage of SEPS capable of inducing HDC and ODC was much higher (100 to 1,000 times) than that of LPS. We have reported that C3H/HeN mice are resistant to SEPS in producing acute arthritis, and their productions of IL-1 and prostaglandin E2 are less than BALB/c mice sensitive to producing acute arthritis. In the present study, it was also found that C3H/HeN mice were markedly resistant to SEPS in inducing HDC activity.

Active translocation of platelets into sinusoidal and Disse spaces in the liver in response to lipopolysaccharides, interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor

1. Injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or endotoxin into mice and rats induces a prolonged increase in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine: 5HT), predominantly in the liver. 2. The 5HT increase reflects the accumulation of platelets in the sinusoidal and perisinusoidal Disse spaces (spaces between endothelial cells and hepatocytes) in the liver. 3. Most of the platelets which accumulated in these spaces still retained their intact structure and a large amount of 5HT. 4. Interleukin-1 and/or tumor necrosis factor also induce the platelet response. 5. Kupffer's cells play a key role in this platelet response. 6. Anti-platelet drugs currently used, except for anti-inflammatory steroids, were ineffective in preventing the platelet response. 7. This platelet response is different from the well known platelet aggregation. 8. The possible involvement of this platelet response in insulin-independent hypoglycaemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, septic shock, hepatitis, Shwartzman type reactions or self-defense mechanisms is discussed.

Aminoalkylbisphosphonates, potent inhibitors of bone resorption, induce a prolonged stimulation of histamine synthesis and increase macrophages, granulocytes, and osteoclasts in vivo

Aminoalkyl derivatives of bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of bone resorption. A single I.P. injection of 4-amino-1-hydroxybutylidene-1,1-bis-phosphonate (AHBuBP) induced a prolonged enhancement of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity in the bone marrow, spleen, lung, and liver of mice and resulted in an increase in histamine. The induction of HDC by the agent was dose dependent (16-80 mumol/kg) and peaked 3-4 days after its injection (40 mumol/kg). Repeated S.C. injections of smaller doses of AHBuBP (0.32 or 1.6 mumol/kg/day) for 4 days also enhanced HDC activity. However, the minimum dose capable of inhibiting bone resorption (0.064 mumol/kg/day) was lower than that inducing HDC. Unexpectedly, AHBuBP, at the doses inducing HDC, increased macrophages, granulocytes, and even osteoclasts. The size of osteoclasts was also enlarged by the agent. Another aminobisphosphonate, 3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate, but none of non-amino derivatives, also exhibited essentially the same effects as those of AHBuBP. These results indicate that in spite of increase in osteoclasts and their enlargement, bone resorption is still inhibited by amino bisphosphonates. As granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors and interleukin-3 induce HDC in hematopoietic organs, and histamine has a hematopoietic activity, the HDC induction by aminobisphosphonates may be relevant to the proliferation of progenitor cells of macrophages, granulocytes, and osteoclasts.

Ornithine and histidine decarboxylase activities in mice sensitized to endotoxin, interleukin-1 or tumour necrosis factor by D-galactosamine

1. An injection of D-galactosamine (GalN) into mice together with a lipopolysaccharide (LPS or endotoxin), interleukin-1 (IL-1) or tumour necrosis factor (TNF), sensitized the mice and induced fulminant hepatitis with severe congestion resulting in rapid death. Since LPS and these cytokines induce ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) in the liver and spleen of mice, the effects of GalN on the induction of ODC and HDC in these organs were examined. 2. The induction of ODC by LPS, IL-1 or TNF was suppressed by GalN in the liver, and this suppression preceded the hepatic congestion. There was good agreement between the degree of hepatic congestion and the suppression of ODC induction by various amounts of GalN. The induction of ODC in the spleen was suppressed only at the highest dose of GalN examined. 3. GalN is known to deplete uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP), resulting in the suppression of RNA and protein synthesis. An injection of uridine, the precursor of UTP, diminished the GalN-induced suppression of ODC induction by LPS and prevented the hepatic congestion and death. 4. LPS-pretreatment before injection of LPS plus GalN prevented the suppression of ODC activity and prevented the hepatic congestion and death. 5. An injection of putrescine, the product of ODC, prolonged survival time and delayed the development of hepatic congestion. However, injection of an ODC inhibitor into the mice given LPS did not produce hepatic congestion. 6. The induction of HDC in the liver by LPS, IL-1 or TNF was not suppressed by GalN and, at high doses, the response to LPS was enhanced. An inhibitor of HDC neither prevented the hepatic congestion nor enhanced the protective effect of putrescine.7. Although GalN in combination with IL-la induced a markedly higher HDC activity than was observed when it was combined with TNFa, and suppressed the induction of ODC, the former combination at the doses used did not produce hepatic congestion or death. However, the sensitization to TNFa by GalN was markedly potentiated by IL-la.8. These results suggest that suppression of the induction of ODC by GalN may be one cause of the sensitization to LPS, IL-1 or TNF, and that the induction of HDC, i.e. histamine formation, may not be involved in this sensitization.9. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that both IL-1 and TNF are involved in the sensitization to LPS.

GM-CSF and G-CSF stimulate the synthesis of histamine and putrescine in the hematopoietic organs in vivo

Histamine and putrescine (a precursor of polyamines) are formed by histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), respectively. Within a few hours after injection of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into mice, HDC is induced in the liver, spleen, lung and bone marrow, and ODC is induced in the liver, spleen and bone marrow. Since LPS is known to stimulate the production of various cytokines, the abilities of various cytokines to induce HDC and ODC in the tissues of mice were examined. IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IFN gamma and M-CSF were ineffective. IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF alpha and TNF beta induced HDC and ODC, as does LPS. On the other hand, GM-CSF and G-CSF induced HDC and ODC only in the spleen and bone marrow within a few hours after their injection. These results suggest that, in addition to their roles in inflammation or immune responses, HDC and ODC are also involved in an early stage of hematopoiesis.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor on the hepatic accumulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine and platelets in the mouse

1. Injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.5-500 microgram kg-1) into mice induced a dose-dependent, slowly developing increase in hepatic content of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). This sustained increase could not be attributed to an LPS-induced alteration of the pharmacokinetic handling of 5-HT by stimulation of its uptake or inhibition of its degradation. 2. Regional differences were apparent in the tissue content of histamine and 5-HT between mast cell-deficient (W/Wv) and normal (+/+) mice. LPS administration (0.5 mg kg-1) gave comparable increases in the hepatic level of 5-HT in mast cell-deficient and normal mice. 3. Reserpine pretreatment (1 mg kg-1) selectively reduced 5-HT levels in the blood, spleen, liver, brain and lung of normal mice. Prior treatment with this agent also abolished the LPS (0.5 mg kg-1)-induced hepatic accumulation of 5-HT. 4. Accumulation of 5-HT in the liver by LPS (0.1 mg kg-1) was temporally associated with both a fall in the levels of circulating platelets, and a reduction in the concentration of 5-HT in the blood. The LPS dose-dependent (0.5-500 micrograms kg-1) increase in hepatic 5-HT content was associated with a similar dose-dependent reduction in the circulating levels of 5-HT. 5. Interleukin-1, alpha and beta (10 micrograms kg-1) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) (1 mg kg-1) significantly enhanced the accumulation of 5-HT within the liver. Administration of TNF alpha (10 micrograms kg-1) potentiated the increase in hepatic 5-HT content seen with IL-1 beta (10 micrograms kg-1). 6. Electron microscopy revealed numerous platelets in the sinusoidal and perisinusoidal Disse spaces within the liver, in animals pretreated with LPS (0.1 mg kg '). The platelets retained their intact structure and showed no evidence of degranulation. 7. These data suggest that the LPS and cytokine-induced mobilization of 5-HT in the liver is associated with the hepatic translocation of platelets. This migration appears to be independent of platelet aggregation.

Effect of lipopolysaccharides on histamine synthesis by hematopoietic cells

We show herein that lipopolysaccharides (LPS), in vitro, synergize with GM-CSF to increase histamine synthesis by murine bone marrow cells. LPS has no effect on its own and does not potentiate histamine synthesis promoted by IL-3, the only other cytokine sharing this biological activity with GM-CSF. Despite the fact that GM-CSF and LPS synergistically increase PGE2 levels, the potentiating effect of LPS does not require PGE2 that have been previously shown to enhance GM-CSF-induced histamine synthesis. We provide evidence that this effect of LPS on histamine production by bone marrow cells is mediated by the intracellular cAMP transduction signal. In addition, LPS and cAMP enhance GM-CSF-induced histidine decarboxylase activity, showing that both substances act on histamine synthesis. Contrary to in vitro results, LPS injection into mice induces an increase in both intracellular histamine and HDC activity in bone marrow cells. Our results support the conclusion that this effect is mediated by GM-CSF. In conclusion, LPS appears to be a powerful HDC inducer in hematopoietic organs because of its ability, on one hand, to induce circulating GM-CSF and, on the other hand, to potentiate GM-CSF induction of HDC.

Histidine decarboxylase in human basophilic leukemia (KU-812-F) cells. Characterization and induction by phorbol myristate acetate

The human leukemic cell line KU-812-F is known to differentiate into mature basophil-like cells under serum-free culture conditions. In the present study, the activity of histidine decarboxylase (HDC), a histamine-forming enzyme, in KU-812-F cells was found to be high, ranging from 10 to 57 pmol/min/mg protein. The great variation in HDC activity appeared to be due to different percentages and degrees of maturity of basophil-like cells during differentiation of this cell line. The enzyme was inhibited by alpha-fluoromethylhistidine but not by carbidopa, was unable to form dopamine from L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, and had a Km value for histidine of 0.27 mM, indicating that it was HDC and not aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. The HDC activity increased 1.8-fold when the cells were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate, which is known to activate protein kinase C, and this increase was blocked by staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C.

Induction of histidine and ornithine decarboxylase activities in mouse tissues by recombinant interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor

The injection of recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) into mice induced histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity in the bone marrow, spleen, lung and liver and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in the spleen and liver. The ability of IL-1 to induce these responses was the most potent of the various cytokines tested. The induction of these responses by IL-1 seemed to be more rapid than that produced by a lipopolysaccharide. The potency of IL-1 alpha to induce both HDC and ODC activities was similar to that of IL-1 beta, and their combination did not potentiate the induction of these responses. In contrast, although the ability of recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) to induce these responses was less potent than that of IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta, the combination of TNF alpha and IL-1 beta produced higher HDC and ODC activities in some tissues tested than those induced by the combination of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta. These results suggest that the syntheses of histamine and putrescine are regulated by IL-1 and/or TNF alpha in inflammatory or immune responses. Through these experiments, it was noticed that, in spite of a marked induction of HDC activity in the bone marrow, there was no detectable induction of ODC activity in this tissue. The meaning of HDC induction in the bone marrow is discussed.

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase and histidine decarboxylase activities in rat colon mucosa after application of 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), sodium deoxycholate and indole

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activities of rat colon mucosa were induced after intrarectal instillation of 12-o-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and sodium deoxycholate. After instillation of sodium deoxycholate, ODC and HDC activities increased rapidly and reached a peak at 4 h, then decreased quickly towards control levels. Both enzymes activities also increased significantly 4 h after instillation in animals treated with TPA and sodium deoxycholate plus indole. However, there were no changes in ODC and HDC activities from 0-8 h after indole administration. These data are the first to show the induction of HDC activity in colon mucosa by TPA and sodium deoxycholate and suggest that the induction of activities in these two enzymes might be one mechanism of their action as cancer promoters.

Possible role of endogenous histamine in mediation of LPS-induced secretion of corticosterone in mice

Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced a strong secretion of corticosterone in C3H/HeN mice with a concomitant increase in the splenic histidine decarboxylase activity. Treatment of the mice with alpha-fluoromethyl histidine, a suicide substrate for the enzyme, markedly attenuated both the secretion and the increase. In C3H/HeJ mice, LPS provoked little corticosterone release and induction of the enzyme. However, these mice responded to tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate with a large increase in both this secretion and enzyme activity. Injection of LPS produced a comparable increase in the serum histamine and corticosterone level and activity of histidine decarboxylase in various tissues of genetically mast-cell-deficient W/WV mice and in closely related +/+ mice. These results suggest that secretion of corticosterone caused by LPS is mediated by histamine produced through induction of histidine decarboxylase in non-mast cells.

Macrophages can produce factors capable of inducing histidine decarboxylase, a histamine-forming enzyme, in vivo in the liver, spleen, and lung of mice

Injection into mice of culture supernatant of P388D1 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, produced a rapid increase in histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activities in the liver, spleen, and lung. Factors in the culture supernatant capable of inducing the HDC elevation were purified by gel filtration and chromatofocusing. Throughout these procedures, the HDC-inducing activity accompanied the mitogenic activity for thymocytes or interleukin 1 (IL-1) activity. Although, because of low purity of the preparations, it is not confirmed whether the HDC inducer is IL-1 itself or not, the present results indicate that P388D1 cells can produce a factor(s) capable of inducing HDC in mouse tissues in vivo. After the injection of the HDC-inducing factor into mice, HDC induction in the tissues occurred within 2 hr and peaked at 2 to 4 hr, resulting in the increase in histamine levels 1 to 10 nmol/g tissue. These results provide important information concerning the source of endogenous histamine that might be involved in inflammatory reactions in delayed-hypersensitivity reactions or in the immune regulation observed in many in vitro systems.

Induction of histidine decarboxylase activity in the spleen of mice treated with staphylococcal enterotoxin A and demonstration of its non-mast cell origin

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity increased 13-, 7-, and 2-fold in the spleen, lung and liver, respectively, but not in other tissues of C57BL/6 mice injected i.v. with 50 micrograms/kg of Staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA). But even in the spleen, increase in the histamine level was only 1.5 times that of untreated mice. In genetically mast cell-deficient WBB6F1 - W/Wv mice HDC activity in the spleen increased to the same extent as in wild type WBB6F1 - +/+ mice on SEA treatment, but the histamine level in the spleen also increased 20-fold, whereas it increased only 1.4-fold in +/+ mice. These results suggest that the increases in HDC and histamine resulted from interaction of SEA with non-mast cells in tissues.

Interleukin 1-like factors can accumulate 5-hydroxytryptamine in the liver of mice and can induce hypoglycaemia

After the injection into mice of culture medium of P388D1 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, 5-hydroxytryptamine accumulated in the liver and blood glucose declined. The factors capable of inducing these responses were purified by gel filtration and chromatofocusing. With these procedures, the activity to induce the increase in 5-hydroxytryptamine in the liver accompanied the activity to induce hypoglycaemia. Moreover, through the purification, the factors were found in the fraction of interleukin 1, a lymphocyte-activating factor. These results suggest that the factors capable of inducing the increase in 5-hydroxytryptamine and hypoglycaemia are likely to be interleukin 1 molecules or molecules closely related to interleukin 1. The present and previous findings together with those in the literature support the idea that the increase in 5-hydroxytryptamine in the liver might be a cause of hypoglycaemia. These findings may provide new and important information about the roles of macrophages in inflammation or in immune responses.

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase in the liver and spleen of mice by interleukin 1-like factors produced from a macrophage cell line

Injection of culture medium of P388D1 cells, a murine macrophage cell line, into mice produced a rapid induction of ornithine decarboxylase in the liver and spleen. The ornithine decarboxylase-inducing factor in the medium was purified by gel-filtration and chromatofocusing. With these procedures, the factor was usually found in the fraction of interleukin 1 (a lymphocyte-activating factor), indicating that the factor is identical with interleukin 1 or a molecule closely related to interleukin 1. The ornithine decarboxylase induction by the factor was suppressed by cycloheximide, but actinomycin D did not suppress the induction, or rather enhanced it. These findings may provide valuable information on the important roles of macrophages in immune responses or in inflammatory reactions.

Induction of ornithine decarboxylase in mouse tissues following the injection of mitogenic substances. Enhancement by actinomycin D

Experiments were carried out to study the mechanism of the induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in mouse tissues by the injection of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition to LPS, various mitogenic substances, such as concanavalin A, pokeweed mitogen, polyI:polyC and a phorbol diester, induced ODC in the liver and the spleen of mice at 4.5 hr after injection. Non-mitogenic immuno-stimulants or inflammatory agents, such as zymosan, carrageenan, N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine, glycogen, D-galactosamine and interferon, did not induce the enzyme. ODC induction by LPS in C3H/HeJ mice, the lymphocytes and/or macrophages of which are known to be less responsive to LPS, was much less than in C3H/He and ddI mice. ODC induction by LPS was suppressed by dexamethasone and cycloheximide. Actinomycin D did not suppress ODC induction by LPS but, rather, enhanced it. These results suggest that (1) lymphocytes and/or macrophages may participate in the induction of ODC by mitogenic substances as well as by LPS, (2) ODC may be induced by mitogenic substances without the synthesis of RNA, and (3) the translation of existing RNA may be accelerated by actinomycin D.

Role of vasoactive amines in the antitumor activity of endotoxin

To estimate a possible role of vasoamines in the antitumor action of endotoxin, effects of isoproterenol, serotonin and adrenaline on subcutaneously transplanted murine Meth A sarcoma and the capacity of these agents to elicit antitumor factors were studied. Macroscopically all agents induced tumor necrosis and a temporal tumor growth stop, but only endotoxin was capable of induction of complete tumor regression. Histology showed that all agents induced hyperemia by 4 h and hemorrhagic necrosis by 24 h. The latter was located superficially at the outside of tumors. Only serotonin and especially endotoxin induced substantial non-hemorrhagic necrosis in the remaining part of the tumors. Endotoxin induced a profound inhibition of the mitotic activity within the tumor, the effect of other agents was considerably less. Only endotoxin induced high levels of tumor necrosis factor, heat stable cytostatic factors and interferon in the circulation of mice treated with Corynebacterium parvum 14 days earlier. It is concluded that these and other data provide indirect but circumstantial evidence for a role of vasoamines in the induction of hyperemia and hemorrhagic necrosis by endotoxin. The latter two effects are probably causally related. It is suggested that non-toxic vasoamines may be useful adjuvants to other treatments of cancer.

Role of histamine in the antitumour activity of endotoxin

The role of histamine in the antitumour activity of endotoxin against solid syngeneic Meth-A sarcoma in BALB/c mice was studied. Endotoxin induces haemorrhagic necrosis and regression of this tumour. Histamine and the selective H1 receptor agonist 2-pyridylethylamine mimicked the induction of necrosis but did not cause regression. The selective H2 receptor agonist dimaprit did not cause any tumour damage. The effect of histamine could be inhibited by the H1 receptor antagonists diphenhydramine and promethazine but not by the H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine. Endotoxin-induced necrosis was slightly affected by diphenhydramine, and the incidence of regression was reduced by both H1 antagonists. Cimetidine potentiated endotoxin-induced regression. Similar effects were observed concerning the effects of H-receptor antagonists on necrosis and regression induced by tumour necrosis serum (TNS). Histological examination revealed no marked additional effects of diphenhydramine or cimetidine on endotoxin-induced hyperaemia, haemorrhagic necrosis, and mitotic arrest of the tumour cells. Only cimetidine increased the extent of nonhaemorrhagic necrosis. The endotoxin-induced release of tumour necrosis factor and cytostatic activity in TNS was clearly reduced by diphenhydramine, but hardly affected by cimetidine. Data indicate that intact H1 receptors are required for the induction of tumour regression and antitumour factors by endotoxin. Concomitant H2 blockade may facilitate this by stimulating H1 receptor-mediated processes upon endotoxin-induced histamine release, although a cimetidine-induced inhibition of T-suppressor cell activation might also be involved.

Induction of histidine decarboxylase in mouse tissues by mitogens in vivo

Various types of mitogenic substances, such as a Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen, polyI:polyC (a synthetic double-stranded RNA) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (a component of croton oil), induced histidine decarboxylase (HDC) in the liver, spleen and lung of mice at 4.5 hr after injection. Other inflammatory agents without mitogenic activity, such as zymosan, carrageenan, glycogen, D-galactosamine and N-acetyl-muramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglutamine, did not induce the enzyme. Both LPS (a B-cell mitogen) and Con A (a T-cell mitogen) induced HDC also in nude mice that lack T-cells, indicating that T-cells are not required for HDC induction by mitogens. C3H/HeJ mice, which are LPS-low responder mice in various immunological tests, were quite a bit less responsive to LPS also in the HDC induction. These results show that mitogens with different properties can induce HDC as a common characteristic. On the basis of these results, the possible participation of macrophages in the process of HDC induction by mitogens was discussed.

A lipopolysaccharide and concanavalin A induce variations of serotonin levels in mouse tissues

The administration of an Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or an endotoxin into mice produced a variation in tissue serotonin (5HT) levels within 4.5 h. 5HT levels in the kidney and lung were decreased by the higher doses of LPS, but those in the liver and spleen were increased even by lower doses of the agent. The increase in liver 5HT was most marked. Such variations in 5HT levels were also produced by the administration of concanavalin A. In vitro experiments using extracts from livers of LPS-treated and non-treated mice indicated that there was no difference in the 5HT formation from 5-hydroxytryptophan between the two groups, but that 5HT formation from tryptophan was higher in the LPS-treated mice. The LPS-induced 5HT increase in liver was suppressed by p-chlorophenylalanine (an inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase), actinomycin D, cycloheximide and dexamethasone, but not by Ro 4-4602 (an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase), pargyline (an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase) and indomethacin. A possible mechanism of the 5HT increase in the liver is discussed on the basis of these results.