Regulation of histamine H1 receptor coupling by dexamethasone in human cultured airway smooth muscle

Interaction between fluticasone furoate and umeclidinium in passively sensitized isolated human airways

Asthma management often includes inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), with additional controllers like long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) for severe cases. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the pharmacological interaction between various concentrations of fluticasone furoate (FF) and umeclidinium (UME) in isolated human airways to determine the nature of their interaction, whether synergistic or additive. Medium bronchi and small airways obtained from patients undergoing lobectomy were passively sensitized to mimic asthmatic conditions. The effects of FF and UME, alone and in combination, on airway relaxation were evaluated using histamine-induced contraction and electrical field stimulation. Pharmacological interactions were analyzed using the Bliss Independence theory. Results indicated that FF induced a partial, concentration-dependent relaxation of sensitized airways, while UME induced a larger relaxation in medium bronchi but a weaker effect in small airways. The combination of FF and UME resulted in significantly greater relaxation than either drug alone, demonstrating synergism at high concentrations in medium bronchi but only additive effects in small airways. This study suggests that higher doses of FF might be necessary in a fixed dose combination to achieve optimal synergistic bronchodilation with UME. Future research should focus on clinical trials to confirm these findings and explore the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions, potentially improving personalized asthma therapy.

The Impact of Corticosteroids on Human Airway Smooth Muscle Contractility and Airway Hyperresponsiveness: A Systematic Review

Classically, the effects elicited by corticosteroids (CS) are mediated by the binding and activation of cytosolic glucocorticoid receptors (GR). However, several of the non-genomic effects of CS seem to be mediated by putative non-classic membrane receptors characterized by pharmacological properties that are different from those of classic cytosolic GR. Since pre-clinical findings suggest that inhaled CS (ICS) may also regulate the bronchial contractile tone via putative CS membrane-associate receptors, the aim of this review was to systematically report and discuss the impact of CS on human airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractility and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Current evidence indicates that CS have significant genomic/non-genomic beneficial effects on human ASM contractility and AHR, regardless of their anti-inflammatory effects. CS are effective in reducing either the expression, synthesis or activity of α-actin, CD38, inositol phosphate, myosin light chain kinase, and ras homolog family member A in response to several pro-contractile stimuli; overall these effects are mediated by the genomic action of CS. Moreover, CS elicited a strong bronchorelaxant effect via the rapid activation of the Gsα-cyclic-adenosine-monophosphate-protein-kinase-A pathway in hyperresponsive airways. The possibility of modulating the dose of the ICS in a triple ICS/long-acting β₂-adrenoceptor agonist/long-acting muscarinic antagonist fixed-dose combination supports the use of a Triple MAintenance and Reliever Therapy (TriMART) in those asthmatic patients at Step 3-5 who may benefit from a sustained bronchodilation and have been suffering from an increased parasympathetic tone.

Asthmatic Eosinophils Promote Contractility and Migration of Airway Smooth Muscle Cells and Pulmonary Fibroblasts In Vitro

Enhanced contractility and migration of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) and pulmonary fibroblasts (PF) are part of airway remodeling in asthma. Eosinophils are the central inflammatory cells that participate in airway inflammation. However, the role of asthmatic eosinophils in ASMC and PF contractility, migration, and differentiation to contractile phenotype has not yet been precisely described. A total of 38 individuals were included in this study: 13 steroid-free non-severe allergic asthma (AA) patients, 11 severe non-allergic eosinophilic asthma (SNEA) patients, and 14 healthy subjects (HS). For AA patients and HS groups, a bronchial allergen challenge with D. pteronyssinus was performed. Individual combined cell cultures were prepared from isolated peripheral blood eosinophils and immortalized ASMC or commercial PF cell lines separately. The migration of ASMC and PF was evaluated using wound healing assay and contractility using collagen gel assay. Gene expression of contractile apparatus proteins, COL1A1, COL5A1, and FN, in ASMC and PF was evaluated using qRT-PCR. We found that contractility and migration of ASMC and PF significantly increased after incubation with asthmatic eosinophils compared to HS eosinophils, p < 0.05, and SNEA eosinophils demonstrated the highest effect on contractility of ASMC and migration of both cell lines, p < 0.05. AA and SNEA eosinophils significantly increased gene expression of contractile apparatus proteins, COL1A1 and FN, in both cell lines, p < 0.05. Furthermore, the allergen-activated AA eosinophils significantly increased the contractility of ASMC, and migration and gene expression in ASMC and PF, p < 0.05. Thus, asthmatic eosinophils change ASMC and PF behavior by increasing their contractility and migration, contributing to airway remodeling.

Cetirizine and thalidomide synergistically inhibit mammary tumorigenesis and angiogenesis in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-treated rats

OBJECTIVE

Cetirizine (CET) and thalidomide (THA) have been previously found to influence angiogenesis. The present study aimed to assess the ability of these drugs to influence mammary carcinogenesis in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty Sprague-Dawley female rats, aged 8 weeks, received 15 mg of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) intragastrically. CET and THA (1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg, respectively) were administered orally for 118 days after DMBA administration. At the end of the treatment period, mammary tumors were counted and weighed, and their morphology was analyzed using light microscopy. In tumor tissue, proliferation and apoptotic indices and microvessel density were determined using immunohistochemical techniques; the levels of angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, were measured by western blotting.

RESULTS

CET and THA, administered separately, failed to influence tumor formation and angiogenesis. In contrast, the drug combination decreased latency to first tumor (significant difference from vehicle-treated control and groups that received either drug alone, P<0.01) and significantly lowered tumor number per rat, number of malignant tumors per rat, tumor burden, and tumor number per tumor-bearing animal (P<0.05 or <0.01). In tissue of malignant tumors, the drug combination decreased the number of proliferating cells, microvessel density, and levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor and stimulated apoptosis (difference from all other groups, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

It was shown for the first time that H1-antagonist and THA synergistically inhibit DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis; this effect was associated with a decrease in tumor angiogenesis. Further study of the anticancer and antiangiogenic activity of the combination may provide a new approach to breast cancer treatment.

Interaction between corticosteroids and muscarinic antagonists in human airways

BACKGROUND

To date there is emerging clinical evidence to add long-acting anti-muscarinic agents (LAMAs) with inhaled corticosteroid (ICSs) in asthma, but the pharmacological rationale that supports the use of such a combination has not yet been explained. The aim of this study was to pharmacologically investigate the interaction between the ICS beclomethasone and the LAMA glycopyrronium on the human airway smooth muscle (ASM) tone.

METHODS

We investigated the rapid non-genomic bronchorelaxant effect of beclomethasone and glycopyrronium, administered alone and in combination, in human isolated bronchi and bronchioles. Experiments were carried out also in passively sensitized airways and the pharmacological analysis of drug interaction was performed by Bliss Independence method.

RESULTS

The acute administration of beclomethasone and glycopyrronium induced a significant relaxation of passively sensitized ASM pre-contracted with histamine, by causing submaximal/maximal inhibition of the contractile tone in both medium bronchi and bronchioles. Beclomethasone was characterized by a rapid non-genomic and epithelium independent bronchorelaxant effect. In passively sensitized airways, this effect seemed to be dependent by the activation of a Gsα--cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)--protein kinase A cascade. While no synergistic interaction was detected in non-sensitized bronchi, the beclomethasone/glycopyrronium combination synergistically enhanced the relaxation of passively sensitized medium and small bronchi. The synergistic interaction between beclomethasone and glycopyrronium was associated with an increase of cAMP concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides for the first time the pharmacological rationale for combining low doses of an ICS plus a LAMA.

Airway smooth muscle in asthma: just a target for bronchodilation?

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) has long been recognized as the main cell type responsible for bronchial hyperresponsiveness. It has, thus, been considered as a target for bronchodilation. In asthma, however, there is a complex relationship between ASM and inflammatory cells, such as mast cells and T lymphocytes. Moreover, the increased ASM mass in asthmatic airways is one of the key features of airway remodeling. This article aims to review the main concepts about the 3 possible roles of ASM in asthma: (1) contractile tone, (2) inflammatory response, and (3) remodeling.

Inhibition of p38 MAPK-dependent bronchial contraction after ozone by corticosteroids

We determined the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in the increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) contractile responses following ozone and modulation by corticosteroids. Mice were exposed to air or ozone (3 ppm for 3 h) and isometric contractile responses of bronchial rings to acetylcholine (ACh) were measured using a myograph in the presence of p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB239063 (10⁻⁶ M) or dexamethasone (10⁻⁶ M). Because MAPK phosphatase (MKP)-1 is a negative regulator of p38 MAPK, we also studied these effects in MKP-1(-/-) mice. Bronchial rings from ozone-exposed wild-type and MKP-1(-/-) mice showed increased contractile responses, with a leftward shift of the dose-response curve in MKP-1(-/-) mice. SB239063 inhibited bronchial contraction equally in air- and ozone-exposed C57/BL6 and MKP-1(-/-) mice. Dexamethasone inhibited ACh-induced bronchial contraction in both air- and ozone-exposed C57/BL6 mice, but not in air- or ozone-exposed MKP-1(-/-) mice. ACh-stimulated p38 MAPK and heat shock protein (HSP)27 phosphorylation, as measured by Western blotting, and this effect was suppressed by SB239063 in C57/BL6 and MKP-1(-/-) mice, but not by dexamethasone in either air- or ozone-exposed MKP-1(-/-) mice. p38 MAPK plays a role in maximal ACh-induced isometric contractile responses and increased contractility induced by ozone. Dexamethasone inhibits ACh-induced ASM contraction through phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and HSP27.

The effect of asthma therapeutics on signalling and transcriptional regulation of airway smooth muscle function

SCOPE OF THE REVIEW

Our knowledge of the multifunctional nature of airway smooth muscle (ASM) has expanded rapidly in the last decade, but the underlying molecular mechanisms and how current therapies for obstructive airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), affect these are still being elucidated. Our current knowledge has built on the pharmacology of human ASM contraction and relaxation established prior to that and which is reviewed in detail elsewhere in this issue. The advent of methods to isolate and culture ASM cells, especially human ASM cells, has made it possible to study how they may contribute to airway remodelling through their synthetic, proliferative, and migratory capacities. Now the underlying molecular mechanisms of ASM growth factor secretion, extracellular matrix (ECM) production, proliferation and migration, as well as contraction and relaxation, are being determined. A complex network of signalling pathways leading to gene transcription in ASM cells permits this functional plasticity in healthy and diseased airways. This review is an overview of the effects of current therapies, and some of those in development, on key signalling pathways and transcription factors involved in these ASM functions.

Steroids augment relengthening of contracted airway smooth muscle: potential additional mechanism of benefit in asthma

Breathing (especially deep breathing) antagonises development and persistence of airflow obstruction during bronchoconstrictor stimulation. Force fluctuations imposed on contracted airway smooth muscle (ASM) in vitro result in its relengthening, a phenomenon called force fluctuation-induced relengthening (FFIR). Because breathing imposes similar force fluctuations on contracted ASM within intact lungs, FFIR represents a likely mechanism by which breathing antagonises bronchoconstriction. While this bronchoprotective effect appears to be impaired in asthma, corticosteroid treatment can restore the ability of deep breaths to reverse artificially induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects. It has previously been demonstrated that FFIR is physiologically regulated through the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. While the beneficial effects of corticosteroids have been attributed to suppression of airway inflammation, the current authors hypothesised that alternatively they might exert their action directly on ASM by augmenting FFIR as a result of inhibiting p38 MAPK signalling. This possibility was tested in the present study by measuring relengthening in contracted canine tracheal smooth muscle (TSM) strips. The results indicate that dexamethasone treatment significantly augmented FFIR of contracted canine TSM. Canine tracheal ASM cells treated with dexamethasone demonstrated increased MAPK phosphatase-1 expression and decreased p38 MAPK activity, as reflected in reduced phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK downstream target, heat shock protein 27. These results suggest that corticosteroids may exert part of their therapeutic effect through direct action on airway smooth muscle, by decreasing p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity and thus increasing force fluctuation-induced relengthening.

Salmeterol and cytokines modulate inositol-phosphate signalling in human airway smooth muscle cells via regulation at the receptor locus

Background

Airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) is a key feature of asthma and a causal relationship between airway inflammation and AHR has been identified. The aim of the current study was to clarify the effect of proinflammatory cytokines and asthma medication on primary human airway smooth muscle (ASM) inositol phosphate (IPx) signalling and define the regulatory loci involved.

Methods

Primary Human ASM cells were isolated from explants of trachealis muscle from individuals with no history of respiratory disease. The effect of cytokine or asthma medication on histamine or bradykinin induced IPx signalling was assessed by [³H] inositol incorporation. Quantitative Real Time PCR was used to measure mRNA levels of receptors and downstream signalling components. Transcriptional mechanisms were explored using a combination of 5'Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (5'RACE) and promoter-reporter techniques.

Results

Treatment of Human ASM cells with IL-13, IFNγ or salmeterol for 24 hours lead to a modest augmentation of histamine induced IPx responses (144.3 +/- 9.3, 126.4 +/- 7.5 and 117.7 +/- 5.2%, p < 0.05). Similarly, TNFα, IFNγ or salmeterol treatment augmented bradykinin induced IPx responses (127.4 +/- 8.3, 128.0 +/- 8.4 and 111.7 +/- 5.0%, P < 0.05). No treatment significantly influenced sodium fluoride induced IPx responses suggesting regulation occurs at the receptor locus. Analyses of mRNA expression of components of the IPx pathway i.e. H1 Histamine Receptor (HRH1), B2 Bradykinin Receptor (BDKRB2), Gαq/11 and PLC-β1 identified that a significant induction of receptor mRNA (>2 fold) was a feature of these responses explaining the cytokine and spasmogen specificity. The HRH1 and BDKRB2 promoter regions were mapped in ASM and promoter-reporter analyses identified that salmeterol can induce HRH1 (>2 fold) and BDKRB2 (2–5 fold) transcription. The effect of cytokines on HRH1 and BDKRB2 promoter-reporter expression suggested a more complex regulation of mRNA expression involving additional loci to the core promoter.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that the spasmogen specific receptor locus may be a key site of regulation determining the magnitude of spasmogen mediated ASM IPx responses during airway inflammation or following asthma medication. These data provide further insight into the molecular basis of AHR and extend our understanding of potentially detrimental effects associated with existing therapies used in the treatment of asthma.

Rapid inhibitory effect of glucocorticoids on airway smooth muscle contractions in guinea pigs

The common disease asthma is characterized by the obstruction, inflammation and increased sensitivity of the airways. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are one of the most potent anti-inflammatory agents available for treating allergic disease. In this study, we report that the GC budesonide (BUD) can rapidly inhibit the histamine-induced contractions of airway smooth muscle in a process mediated by non-genomic mechanisms. The tracheas of albino Hartley guinea pigs were used. We measured the effects of BUD on the increased isometric tension of trachea segment rings and the shrinking of single airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) induced by histamine. With the application of each reagent, the changes in the isometric tension of the segment rings upon maximum contraction and at four time points were recorded. We found that BUD significantly suppressed the increase in isometric tension induced by histamine in guinea pigs within 15 min. We also observed that BUD can reduce the histamine-induced shrinking of single ASMCs in an even shorter time. Mifepristone (RU486) and actidione did not depress the inhibitory effect of BUD. The results preclude action via genomic-mediated responses that usually take several hours to occur. We conclude therefore that GCs have a rapid non-genomic inhibitory effect on guinea pig airway smooth muscle contractions, and provide a new way to investigate this non-genomic mechanism. Further study can provide theoretical evidence for the clinical application of GCs in asthma and other allergic diseases.

Histamine-mediated increases in cytosolic [Ca2+] involve different mechanisms in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle and endothelial cells

Agonist stimulation of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) and endothelial cells (PAEC) with histamine showed similar spatiotemporal patterns of Ca(2+) release. Both sustained elevation and oscillatory patterns of changes in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) were observed in the absence of extracellular Ca(2+). Capacitative Ca(2+) entry (CCE) was induced in PASMC and PAEC by passive depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores with 10 microM cyclopiazonic acid (CPA; 15-30 min). The pyrazole derivative BTP2 inhibited CPA-activated Ca(2+) influx, suggesting that depletion of CPA-sensitive internal stores is sufficient to induce CCE in both PASMC and PAEC. The recourse of histamine-mediated Ca(2+) release was examined after exposure of cells to CPA, thapsigargin, caffeine, ryanodine, FCCP, or bafilomycin. In PASMC bathed in Ca(2+)-free solution, treatment with CPA almost abolished histamine-induced rises in [Ca(2+)](cyt). In PAEC bathed in Ca(2+)-free solution, however, treatment with CPA eliminated histamine-induced sustained and oscillatory rises in [Ca(2+)](cyt) but did not affect initial transient increase in [Ca(2+)](cyt). Furthermore, treatment of PAEC with a combination of CPA (or thapsigargin) and caffeine (and ryanodine), FCCP, or bafilomycin did not abolish histamine-induced transient [Ca(2+)](cyt) increases. These observations indicate that 1) depletion of CPA-sensitive stores is sufficient to cause CCE in both PASMC and PAEC; 2) induction of CCE in PAEC does not require depletion of all internal Ca(2+) stores; 3) the histamine-releasable internal stores in PASMC are mainly CPA-sensitive stores; 4) PAEC, in addition to a CPA-sensitive functional pool, contain other stores insensitive to CPA, thapsigargin, caffeine, ryanodine, FCCP, and bafilomycin; and 5) although the CPA-insensitive stores in PAEC may not contribute to CCE, they contribute to histamine-mediated Ca(2+) release.

Histamine in the immune regulation of allergic inflammation

Histamine was the first mediator implicated in mechanisms of allergy, asthma, and anaphylactic shock because it has been discovered to mimic several features of these diseases. In addition to its well-characterized effects in the acute inflammatory and allergic responses, it was recently demonstrated that histamine regulates several essential events in the immune response. Histamine affects the maturation of immune system cells and alters their activation, polarization, chemotaxis, and effector functions. Histamine also regulates antigen-specific T(H)1 and T(H)2 cells, as well as related antibody isotype responses. Histamine binds to 4 different G protein-coupled receptors that transduce signals to cells through distinct pathways. The expression of these receptors on different cells and cell subsets is regulated, and apparently, the diverse effects of histamine on immune regulation are due to differential expression of 4 histamine receptors and their distinct intracellular signals. This article highlights novel discoveries in histamine immunobiology and discusses clinical findings or disease models that indicate immune regulation by histamine.

Signaling and regulation of G protein-coupled receptors in airway smooth muscle

Signaling through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) mediates numerous airway smooth muscle (ASM) functions including contraction, growth, and "synthetic" functions that orchestrate airway inflammation and promote remodeling of airway architecture. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the GPCRs that have been identified in ASM cells, and discuss the extent to which signaling via these GPCRs has been characterized and linked to distinct ASM functions. In addition, we examine the role of GPCR signaling and its regulation in asthma and asthma treatment, and suggest an integrative model whereby an imbalance of GPCR-derived signals in ASM cells contributes to the asthmatic state.

Interaction of histamine and glucocorticoids with neural structures of the respiratory tract

The effects of dexamethasone on the actions of histamine on isolated tissue and large bronchus preparations and the interactions of these substances with intramural neural structures were studied. Low histamine concentrations (10(-12)-10(-8) g/ml) decreased muscle responses induced by stimulation of preganglionic nerve fibers, while high concentrations (10(-7)-10(-4) g/ml) increased these responses. Dexamethasone at concentrations of 10(-7)-10(-6) g/ml decreased muscle responses, while concentrations of 10(-5)-10(-6) g/ml produced biphasic changes in responses. Dexamethasone decreased the effects of histamine at high concentrations. Atropine eliminated the effects of simultaneous application of histamine and dexamethasone on respiratory tract preparations; hexamethonium blocked the effects of substances associated with decreased responses and had virtually no effect on those potentiating responses. Novocaine eliminated the actions of histamine at low and high concentrations and the dilatory effect of dexamethasone. These experimental results led to the conclusion that changes in the responses of muscles from the rat respiratory tract induced by stimulation of preganglionic nerve fibers were modified by low concentrations of histamine and dexamethasone and that these modifications were associated with interactions of these substances with tracheobronchial receptors.

Upregulation by glucocorticoids of responses to eosinopoietic cytokines in bone-marrow from normal and allergic mice

Since the production of eosinopoietic cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-5) is inhibited by glucocorticoids, while responsiveness to these cytokines is enhanced in bone-marrow of allergic mice, we studied the ability of glucocorticoids to modulate murine bone-marrow eosinopoiesis. Progenitor (semi-solid) and/or precursor (liquid) cultures were established from bone-marrow of: (a) normal mice; (b) ovalbumin-sensitized and challenged mice or (c) dexamethasone (1-5 mg kg(-1)) injected mice. Cultures were established with GM-CSF (2 ng ml(-1)) or IL-5 (1 ng ml(-1)), respectively, alone or associated with dexamethasone, hydrocortisone or corticosterone. Total myeloid colony numbers, frequency and size of eosinophil colonies, and numbers of eosinophil-peroxidase-positive cells were determined at day 7. In BALB/c mice, dexamethasone (10(-7) M) increased GM-CSF-stimulated myeloid colony formation (P = 0.01), as well as the frequency (P=0.01) and size (P<0.01) of eosinophil colonies. Dexamethasone (10(-7) M) alone had no effect. Dexamethasone (10(-7)-10(-10) M) increased (P<0.002) eosinophil precursor responses to IL-5. Potentiation by dexamethasone was still detectable: (a) on low density, immature, nonadherent BALB/c bone-marrow cells, (b) on bone-marrow from other strains, and (c) on cells from allergic mice. Hydrocortisone and corticosterone had similar effects. Dexamethasone administered in vivo, 24 h before bone-marrow harvest, increased subsequent progenitor responses to GM-CSF (P = 0.001) and precursor responses to IL-5 (P<0.001). These effects were blocked by RU 486 (20 mg kg(-1), orally, 2 h before dexamethasone, or added in vitro at 10 microM, P<0.001). Glucocorticoids, acting in vivo or in vitro, through glucocorticoid receptors, enhance bone-marrow eosinopoiesis in naïve and allergic mice.

The histaminergic system in the brain: structural characteristics and changes in hibernation

Histaminergic neurons in adult vertebrate brain are confined to the posterior hypothalamic area, where they are comprised of scattered groups of neurons referred to as the tuberomammillary nucleus. Histamine regulates hormonal functions, sleep, food intake, thermoregulation and locomotor activity, for example. In the zebrafish, Danio rerio, histamine was detected only in the brain, where also the histamine synthesizing enzyme L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) was expressed. It is possible that histamine has first evolved as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. We established sensitive quantitative in situ hybridization methods for histamine H(1) and H(2) receptors and HDC, to study the modulation of brain histaminergic system under pathophysiological conditions. A transient increase in H(1) receptor expression was seen in the dentate gyrus and striatum after a single injection of kainic acid, a glutamate analog. H(1) antagonists are known to increase duration of convulsions, and increased brain histamine is associated with reduced convulsions in animal models of epilepsy. No HDC mRNA was detected in brain vessels by in situ hybridization, which suggests lack of histamine synthesis by brain endothelial cells. This was verified by lack of HDC mRNA in a rat brain endothelial cell line, RBE4 cells. Both H(1) and H(2) receptor mRNA was found in this cell line, and the expression of both receptors was downregulated by dexamethasone. The findings are in agreement with the concept that histamine regulates blood-brain barrier permeability through H(1) and H(2) receptor mediated mechanisms. Hibernation is characterized by a drastic reduction of central functions. The activity of most transmitter systems is maintained at a very low level. Surprisingly, histamine levels and turnover were clearly elevated in hibernating ground squirrels, and the density of histamine-containing fibers was higher than in euthermic animals. It is possible that histamine actively maintains the low activity of other transmitters during the hibernation state.

Lack of histamine synthesis and down-regulation of H1 and H2 receptor mRNA levels by dexamethasone in cerebral endothelial cells

The purpose of this work was to determine whether cerebral endothelial cells have the capacity to synthesize histamine or to express mRNA of receptors that specifically respond to available free histamine. The histamine concentrations and the expression of L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and histamine H1 and H2 receptor mRNA, both in adult rat brain and in cultured immortalized RBE4 cerebral endothelial cells, were investigated. In this study endothelial cells were devoid of any kind of detectable histamine production, both in vivo and in the immortalized RBE4 cells in culture. Both the immunostainings for histamine and the in situ hybridizations for HDC were negative, as well as histamine determinations by HPLC, indicating that endothelial cells do not possess the capacity to produce histamine. Also, glucocorticoid (dexamethasone) treatment failed to induce histamine production in the cultured cells. Although the cerebral endothelial cells lack histamine production, a nonsaturable uptake in RBE4 cells is demonstrated. The internalized histamine is detected both in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus, which could indicate a role for histamine as an intracellular messenger. Histamine H1 and H2 receptor mRNA was expressed in RBE4 cells, and glucocorticoid treatment down-regulated the mRNA levels of both H1 and H2 receptors. This mechanism may be involved in glucocorticoid-mediated effects on cerebrovascular permeability and brain edema.

Desensitization of the histamine H1-receptor and transcriptional down-regulation of histamine H1-receptor gene expression in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

We have investigated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the desensitization of histamine H1-receptors and in the expression of the histamine H1-receptor gene in airway smooth muscle. Prolonged 4beta-phorbol 12,13 dibutyrate (PDBu) pretreatment (4 h, 100 nM-1 microM) of bovine trachealis caused a concentration-dependent loss of contraction in response to histamine H1-receptor stimulation, which was associated with a concentration-dependent decrease in histamine-induced total [3H]-inositol phosphates accumulation. In contrast, the responses to sodium fluoride, a direct G-protein activator, were unalterd by PDBu (100-300 nM) pre-incubation and only slightly reduced following incubation with 1 microM PDBu. A selective PKC inhibitor, GF 109203X, partially blocked the PDBu (1 microM)-induced desensitization and completely blocked the effect of 100 nM PDBu, confirming the involvement of PKC. Binding experiments using [3H]-pyrilamine revealed a class of high-affinity binding sites within the range for the histamine H1 receptor in airway smooth muscle. PDBu (1 microM) pretreatment for 4 h did not change the number of histamine H1 receptors. PDBu (1 microM) exposure caused a time-dependent reduction in the steady-state levels of histamine H1-receptor mRNA, which was inhibited by pre-incubation with GF 109203X and by cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor. Nuclear run-on assays revealed a 50% reduction in the rate of histamine H1-receptor gene transcription after 17 h PDBu pretreatment, whereas mRNA stability was not affected by PDBu pretreatment (17 h). In conclusion, we have shown a PKC-mediated desensitization of the histamine H1-receptor in BTSM and a transcriptional down-regulation of the histamine H1-receptor gene expression, which requires new protein synthesis.

Airway smooth muscle as a target of glucocorticoid action in the treatment of asthma

Glucocorticoids are highly effective in the control of asthma and suppression of airway inflammation. The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids are becoming clearer. Although it is apparent that glucocorticoids have effects on many aspects of inflammation, it is not certain which actions on which cell types are the most critical in controlling asthma. Airway smooth muscle cells represent a significant proportion of all cells present in the airways and might therefore be expected to be a prominent cellular target for inhaled steroids. Despite this, little is known of the action of glucocorticoids on airway smooth muscle. It is becoming clear that in addition to its contractile properties, airway smooth muscle can potentially contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma by increased proliferation and by expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, which in turn may lead to the activation and recruitment of key inflammatory cells in the airways. This review examines the action of glucocorticoids on some of the diverse functions of airway smooth muscle that are implicated in remodeling of the airways in asthma. Glucocorticoids either directly or indirectly modulate contraction of airway smooth muscle by suppressing agonist-induced increases in intracellular calcium levels or by downregulating or uncoupling receptors linked to contraction (e.g., muscarinic M2 or M3, histamine H1 receptors). In addition, glucocorticoids may augment relaxation of airway smooth muscle by increasing activation of either cyclic AMP-dependent (e.g., increased expression of beta2-adrenoceptors, reduced homologous desensitization of beta2-adrenoceptors) or AMP-independent mechanisms (e.g., increased Na+/K+ electrogenic pump activity). In addition to their effects on contraction, glucocorticoids are also effective antiproliferative agents in airway smooth muscle, but under some circumstances may also contribute to proliferation by inhibiting the antiproliferative effect of high concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha in these cells. Glucocorticoids also suppress induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in human airway smooth muscle cells and the subsequent synthesis and release of arachidonic acid metabolites, particularly prostaglandin E2. The potential of airway smooth muscle to recruit and activate pro-inflammatory cells such as the eosinophil may also be reduced by glucocorticoids, as they are effective in preventing the release of several cytokines (e.g., RANTES, interleukin-8, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor). The possibility exists that as we begin to understand and speculate more about the likely role of airway smooth muscle in the pathogenesis of asthma, it may be necessary to reconsider airway smooth muscle as an important cellular target for the action of glucocorticoids in the treatment of asthma.

Structure of the human histamine H1 receptor gene

Histamine H1 receptor expression has been reported to change in disorders such as allergic rhinitis, autoimmune myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. Here we report the isolation and characterization of genomic clones containing the 5' flanking (regulatory) region of the human histamine H1 receptor gene. An intron of approx. 5.8 kb was identified in the 5' untranslated region, which suggests that an entire subfamily of G-protein-coupled receptors may contain an intron immediately upstream of the start codon. The transcription initiation site was mapped by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends to a region 6.2 kb upstream of the start codon. Immediately upstream of the transcription start site a fragment of 1.85 kb was identified that showed promoter activity when placed upstream of a luciferase reporter gene and transiently transfected into cells expressing the histamine H1 receptor. The promoter sequence shares a number of characteristics with the promoter sequences of other G-protein-coupled receptor encoding genes, including binding sites for several transcription factors, and the absence of TATA and CAAT sequences at the appropriate locations. The promoter sequence described here differs from that reported previously [Fukui, Fujimoto, Mizuguchi, Sakamoto, Horio, Takai, Yamada and Ito (1994) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 201, 894-901] because the reported genomic clone was chimaeric. Furthermore our study provides evidence that the 3' untranslated region of the H1 receptor mRNA is much longer than previously accepted. Together, these findings provide a complete view of the structure of the human histamine H1 receptor gene. Both the coding region of the H1 receptor gene and its promoter region were independently mapped to chromosome 3p25.

Cytokines induce airway smooth muscle cell hyperresponsiveness to contractile agonists

The important pathophysiological features of the airways in asthma include exaggerated narrowing to bronchoconstrictor agonists and attenuated relaxation to beta adrenoceptor stimulation. These physiological perturbations are associated with inflammation and remodelling of the airways, the latter including an increase in airway smooth muscle cell mass, disruption of the airway epithelium, and changes in the airway tissue extracellular matrix. Recent evidence suggests that cytokines, important molecules modulating airway inflammation, also directly decrease airway smooth muscle responsiveness to beta adrenergic agents, stimulate cytokine secretion, inhibit or promote airway smooth muscle proliferation, and "prime" airway smooth muscle to become hyperresponsive to bronchoconstrictors. Characterisation of the cellular and biochemical events that are involved in activation of airway smooth muscle is likely to be the major consideration in the design of future therapies for asthma. Because calcium is an essential regulatory element for cell growth and cell contraction, it is likely that alterations in calcium mobilisation may, in part, play a role in creating an airway smooth muscle phenotype that is hyperresponsive to contractile agonists. Further studies will be required to determine the precise mechanisms involved in cytokine modulation of calcium homeostasis in airway smooth muscle.

Regulation of H1-receptor coupling and H1-receptor mRNA by histamine in bovine tracheal smooth muscle

1. Pretreatment of bovine tracheal smooth muscle (BTSM) with histamine (1-100 microM, 1 h) induced a concentration-dependent desensitization of the contractile response to subsequently administered histamine, with a reduction of the maximum response of 72 +/- 8% (n = 5) following pre-exposure to 100 microM histamine. In contrast, concentration-response curves to the muscarinic agonist, methacholine were not affected following histamine pretreatment, indicating a homologous desensitization. Furthermore, concentration-response curves to NaF, a G-protein activator, were not altered following histamine pre-incubation. 2. The histamine H1-receptor (H1R) desensitization could be antagonized by mepyramine (an H1-receptor antagonist, 1 microM) but not by cimetidine (an H2-receptor antagonist, 10 microM), indicating that the desensitization occurred via stimulation of histamine H1-receptors, without evidence for the involvement of histamine H2-receptors. 3. Indomethacin (10 microM) did not block the H1R desensitization, suggesting no involvement of prostaglandins. Furthermore, histamine pre-incubation in calcium free medium still induced a functional uncoupling of H1R. 4. GF 109203X, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, and H-7, a non-selective kinase inhibitor, did not antagonize the homologous H1R desensitization. 5. The steady-state level of H1R mRNA, assessed by Northern blot analysis, was not affected by prolonged histamine exposure (100 microM, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 16 and 24 h). 6. These results suggest that histamine induces desensitization of the H1R at the level of the receptor protein, which involves a mechanism independent of PKC, PKA, PKG and calcium influx, suggesting the involvement of a receptor-specific kinase.

Mechanisms underlying TNF-alpha effects on agonist-mediated calcium homeostasis in human airway smooth muscle cells

We have previously shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, a cytokine involved in asthma, enhances Ca2+ responsiveness to bronchoconstrictor agents in cultured human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. In the present study, we investigated the potential mechanism(s) by which TNF-alpha modulates ASM cell responsiveness to such agents. In human ASM cells loaded with fura 2, TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 beta significantly enhanced thrombin- and bradykinin-evoked elevations of intracellular Ca2+. In TNF-alpha-treated cells. Ca2+ responses to thrombin and bradykinin were 350 +/- 14 and 573 +/- 93 nM vs. 130 +/- 17 and 247 +/- 48 nM in nontreated cells, respectively (P < 0.0001). In IL-1 beta-treated cells, the Ca2+ response to bradykinin was 350 +/- 21 vs. 127 +/- 12 nM in nontreated cells (P < 0.0001). The time course for TNF-alpha potentiation of agonist-induced Ca2+ responses requires a minimum of 6 h and was maximum after 12 h of incubation. In addition, cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, completely blocked the potentiating effect of TNF-alpha on Ca2+ signals. We also found that TNF-alpha significantly enhanced increases in phosphoinositide (PI) accumulation induced by bradykinin. The percentage of change in PI accumulation over control was 115 +/- 8 to 210 +/- 15% in control cells vs. 128 +/- 10 to 437 +/- 92% in TNF-alpha-treated cells for 3 x 10(-9) to 3 x 10(-6) M bradykinin. The PI turnover to 10 mM NaF, a direct activator of G proteins, was also found to be enhanced by TNF-alpha. The percentage of change in PI accumulation over control increased from 280 +/- 35% in control cells to 437 +/- 92% in TNF-alpha-treated cells. Taken together, these results show that TNF-alpha can potently regulate G protein-mediated signal transduction in ASM cells by activating pathways dependent on protein synthesis. Our study demonstrates one potential mechanism underlying the enhanced Ca2+ response to bronchoconstrictor agents induced by cytokines in human ASM cells.