Histamine receptors in the mammalian central nervous system: biochemical studies

Neuromodulatory transmitter systems in the cortex and their role in cortical plasticity

Cortical neuromodulatory transmitter systems refer to those classical neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and monoamines, which share a number of common features. For instance, their centers are located in subcortical regions and send long projection axons to innervate the cortex. The same transmitter can either excite or inhibit cortical neurons depending on the composition of postsynaptic transmitter receptor subtypes. The overall functions of these transmitters are believed to serve as chemical bases of arousal, attention and motivation. The anatomy and physiology of neuromodulatory transmitter systems and their innervations in the cerebral cortex have been well characterized. In addition, ample evidence is available indicating that neuromodulatory transmitters also play roles in development and plasticity of the cortex. In this article, the anatomical organization and physiological function of each of the following neuromodulatory transmitters, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, and histamine, in the cortex will be described. The involvement of these transmitters in cortical plasticity will then be discussed. Available data suggest that neuromodulatory transmitters can modulate the excitability of cortical neurons, enhance the signal-to-noise ratio of cortical responses, and modify the threshold for activity-dependent synaptic modifications. Synaptic transmissions of these neuromodulatory transmitters are mediated via numerous subtype receptors, which are linked to multiple signal transduction mechanisms. Among the neuromodulatory transmitter receptor subtypes, cholinergic M(1), noradrenergic beta(1) and serotonergic 5-HT(2C) receptors appear to be more important than other receptor subtypes for cortical plasticity. In general, the contribution of neuromodulatory transmitter systems to cortical plasticity may be made through a facilitation of NMDA receptor-gated processes.

In vivo occupancy of histamine H3 receptors by thioperamide and (R)-alpha-methylhistamine measured using histamine turnover and an ex vivo labeling technique

In the brain, the H3 type of histamine receptor has a pre-synaptic autoreceptor inhibitory role which regulates neuronal release and synthesis of histamine. To examine the interaction of the selective H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide with H3 receptors in the brain in vivo, we have used a functional and non-functional measurement of H3 receptor occupancy. In three species (rat, guinea-pig and mouse) peripheral administration of thioperamide caused dose-related increases in histamine turnover in the cerebral cortex (whole brain was examined in the mouse) and, in the same tissues, inhibited the ex vivo binding of the selective H3 receptor agonist [3H](R)-alpha-methylhistamine ([3H]-RAMH). The peak effect of thioperamide to inhibit ex vivo binding of [3H]RAMH was observed approximately 30 min after i.p. administration, whilst the maximum increase in histamine turnover did not occur until after at least 100 min. At a pretreatment time of 30 min, the ED50 of thioperamide to inhibit ex vivo binding of [3H]RAMH binding in the rat, guinea-pig and mouse brain was found to be 2.0 +/- 0.2, 4.8 +/- 0.6 and 2.6 +/- 0.3 mg/kg (mean +/- SEM, N = 4), respectively. We have also examined the effect of peripheral administration of RAMH on ex vivo binding of [3H]RAMH in rat cortex. Qualitatively and quantitatively similar results to those of thioperamide were observed following i.p. administration of RAMH to rats (ED50 = 3.9 +/- 0.4 mg/kg, mean +/- SEM, N = 4). An effect of RAMH on histamine turnover in rat cortex could not be determined as this compound displayed significant cross-reactivity with the antibodies used in the radioimmunoassay to measure histamine and telemethylhistamine. These data indicate that, following peripheral administration, both thioperamide and RAMH penetrate the brain where they can subsequently interact with H3 receptors. It would appear that binding of thioperamide to H3 receptors is linked with a concomitant increase in histamine turnover in the brain. In conclusion, the ex vivo binding technique, particularly when coupled with measurement of histamine turnover, should provide a valuable means for investigating the ability of any peripherally administered compound to cross the blood-brain barrier and subsequently interact with histamine H3 receptors.

Protein Phosphorylation in Bovine Adrenal Medullary Chromaffin Cells: Histamine-Stimulated Phosphorylation of Tyrosine Hydroxylase

Histamine can cause the release of catecholamines from bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells by a mechanism distinct from that of the depolarizing agents nicotine or high K+ buffer. It was the aim of this study to determine the protein phosphorylation responses to histamine in these cells and to compare them with those induced by depolarization. A number of proteins showed increases in phosphorylation in response to histamine especially when analyzed on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or by phosphopeptide mapping; one protein of 20,000 daltons was markedly dephosphorylated. Emphasis was given to the effects of histamine on tyrosine hydroxylase (TOH) phosphorylation, because this protein showed the most prominent changes on one-dimensional gels. Histamine acted via H1 receptors to increase TOH phosphorylation; the response was blocked by the H1 antagonist mepyramine and could be mimicked by the H1 agonist thiazolylethylamine, but not by the H2 agonist dimaprit. The H3 agonist (R) alpha-methylhistamine increased TOH phosphorylation at high concentrations, but the response was blocked entirely by mepyramine. Histamine rapidly increased the phosphorylation of TOH, with a maximum reached within 5 s and maintained for at least 30 min. This was in marked contrast to nicotine-stimulated protein phosphorylation of TOH, which was rapidly desensitized. The initial phosphorylation response to histamine was independent of extracellular Ca2+ for at least 3 min, but the sustained response required extracellular Ca2+. This was in contrast to the situation with both nicotine and high K+ buffer, which under the conditions used here caused a response which was dependent on extracellular Ca2+ at all times investigated. In the presence of histamine, the phosphopeptide profiles for TOH were essentially the same with or without Ca2+, suggesting that the same protein kinases were involved, but at longer times there was evidence of new phosphorylation sites. The mechanism or mechanisms whereby histamine modulates TOH phosphorylation are discussed with emphasis on the differences from depolarizing agents.

Cyclic AMP generating systems in vertebrate retina: effects of histamine and an established retinal modulator, dopamine

Histamine (HA), 1-1000 microM, significantly stimulated both basal and forskolin-activated cAMP generation in chicken and adult hen retina. The action of HA was reproduced by the selective H2-receptor agonists dimaprit and 4-methyl-histamine, but not by the selective H1-receptor agonist 2-thiazolylethylamine, and it was antagonized by the specific H2-receptor blockers cimetidine and tiotidine, but not by the H1-receptor blocker mepyramine. In parallel experiments, dopamine, an established retinal neuromodulator acting through the D1-type of receptor, also stimulated basal and forskolin-driven adenylate cyclase activity in homogenate of chicken retina. It is suggested that chicken retina contains HA H2-receptors which are positively coupled to the adenylate cyclase system.

Histamine H1-receptor in heart: unique electrophoretic mobility and autoradiographic localization

Histamine H1-receptors, visualized in the guinea pig heart by autoradiography using [125I]iodobolpyramine as a specific probe, are abundant in the nodal tissue and cardiac vessels but also occur heterogeneously in the myocardium. Following photoaffinity labeling with [125I]iodoazidophenpyramine and electrophoresis, the ligand binding domain of the heart H1-receptor was shown to be present on a major 68-kDa and a less abundant 54- to 58-kDa protein. The 68-kDa protein displayed a molecular size higher in heart than in all other tissues (56 kDa). This indicates the existence of at least two isoforms of the H1-receptor; the cardiac isoform, however, was pharmacologically indistinguishable from the common isoform studied in cerebellar membranes using available ligands. Its distinct electrophoretic properties suggest that the cardiac isoform may have a unique function.

Temporal changes in the calcium-dependence of the histamine H1-receptor-stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation in guinea-pig cerebral cortex

1. 2-Chloroadenosine (2CA) causes a maintained rise in adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) content of guinea-pig cerebral cortical slices which is augmented by addition of histamine. We have investigated the temporal profile of the sensitivity of this response to calcium. 2. Rapid removal of extracellular calcium with EGTA (5 mM) at 2CA (30 microM)-induced steady state caused a slight increase in the cyclic AMP response to 2CA alone and completely abolished the augmentation produced by histamine (0.1 mM) added 20 min later. When EGTA was added only 2 min before histamine, the augmentation was reduced by 72%. 3. The calcium sensitivity of the histamine response was also indicated in studies in which EGTA was added 1 or 3 min after histamine at 2CA-induced steady state. Following addition of EGTA at either of these times, the augmentation was not maintained. 4. When calcium was rapidly removed with EGTA once a steady state level of cyclic AMP had been achieved with histamine, the augmentation response was maintained. This was despite the fact that EGTA had a similar effect on both extracellular free calcium and tissue calcium content when it was applied before or after histamine. 5. The 2CA response was augmented by phorbol esters (which mimic the actions of diacylglycerol) in a calcium-independent manner. 6. These results suggest that calcium is important for the initiation and early stages of the histamine-induced augmentation response. The apparent lack of calcium sensitivity of the response at later stages could mean that calcium is not involved in the maintenance of the response or that the intracellular machinery involved in the augmentation process becomes more sensitive to calcium as the response progresses, such that it becomes able to operate at a much lower level of intracellular calcium. A possible role for diacylglycerol in the maintenance of the response is discussed.

Histamine-mediated regulation of cAMP levels and inositol phosphate metabolism in isolated rabbit retina

In pieces of the rabbit retina, histamine (HI) had no significant effect on cAMP accumulation; however, HI inhibited forskolin-evoked accumulation of the nucleotide. Mepyramine (H1-antagonist) was without effect, while cimetidine (H2-antagonist) antagonized the HI action. Dimaprit (H2-agonist) mimicked the HI action, however its action was not significantly affected by H2-antagonists. Since phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors prevented the HI action it is suggested that HI-induced inhibition of the forskolin effect results from HI-induced activation of cAMP breakdown. The muscarinic agonist carbachol, and to a lesser extent HI, both increased [3H]inositol incorporation and intensified accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates in the rabbit retina.

Effect of isozyme-selective inhibitors of phosphodiesterase on histamine-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in guinea-pig hippocampus

Addition of histamine (0.1 mM) to guinea-pig hippocampal slices causes a 20- to 30-fold increase in the accumulation of cyclic AMP compared with basal levels. This accumulation represents a balance between cyclic AMP production by adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP breakdown mediated by phosphodiesterase (PDE). However, brain tissues are known to contain several different PDE isozymes. To determine which are involved in this response to histamine, the effect of isozyme-specific PDE inhibitors on cyclic AMP accumulation was examined in the hippocampus. MB 22948 (0.1 mM), an inhibitor of PDEs I and II, had no significant effect on the response to either 1 microM or 0.1 mM histamine. SKF 94120 (0.1 mM), a PDE III inhibitor, was also without effect in the presence of 1 microM histamine, although with 0.1 mM histamine, it caused a weak (1.25-fold compared with control), but statistically significant, enhancement of cyclic AMP accumulation. However, both rolipram (0.1 mM), a PDE IV inhibitor, and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (0.1 or 1 mM), an inhibitor of all forms of PDE, significantly increased cyclic AMP accumulation (2.8- to 6.5-fold compared with controls), and the relative size of this effect decreased with increasing histamine concentration. It is concluded that PDE IV is the main PDE isozyme involved in cyclic AMP turnover in guinea-pig hippocampal slices responding to histamine.

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated inhibition of histamine release from rat cerebral cortical slices

1. Depolarization of rat cerebral cortical slices, prelabelled with [3H]-histidine, in high potassium (40 mM KCl) medium stimulated the release of [3H]-histamine. The K+-evoked release of [3H]-histamine was attenuated by incubation in calcium-free medium and prevented by prior incubation of brain slices with the selective histidine decarboxylase inhibitor S-(alpha)-fluoromethylhistidine. 2. The K+-evoked release of [3H]-histamine was significantly (P less than 0.001) reduced following stimulation of histamine H3-receptors with R-(alpha)-methylhistamine (1 microM) and this effect was antagonized by the H3-antagonist thioperamide (1 microM). 3. Noradrenaline and the alpha 2-selective adrenoceptor agonists clonidine and UK-14,304 inhibited the K+-evoked release of [3H]-histamine in a concentration-dependent manner yielding EC50 values of 2.5, 0.8 and 1.2 microM, respectively. However, the maximum response to clonidine was only 52 +/- 8% of that obtained with noradrenaline. 4. The inhibitory effect of noradrenaline was antagonized by the non-selective alpha-antagonist phentolamine and by the selective alpha 2-antagonists yohimbine and idazoxan. However, the response to noradrenaline was not inhibited by the alpha 1-antagonist prazosin at concentrations up to 1 microM. 5. These results suggest that both histamine H3-receptors and alpha 2-adrenoceptors are present on histamine-containing nerve terminals in rat cerebral cortex and can exert an inhibitory influence on neurotransmitter release.