Interactions of histamine H1-receptor agonists and antagonists with the human histamine H4-receptor

Chemical Probes for Histamine Receptor Subtypes

Ligands with different properties and different selectivity are highly needed for in vitro and in vivo studies on the (patho)physiological influence of the chemical mediator histamine and its receptor subtypes. A selection of well-described ligands for the different receptor subtypes and different studies is shown with a particular focus on affinity and selectivity. In addition, compounds with radioactive or fluorescence elements will be presented with their beneficial use for other species or different investigations.

Repurposing old drugs in oncology: Opportunities with clinical and regulatory challenges ahead

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

In order to expedite the availability of drugs to treat cancers in a cost-effective manner, repurposing of old drugs for oncological indications is gathering momentum. Revolutionary advances in pharmacology and genomics have demonstrated many old drugs to have activity at novel antioncogenic pharmacological targets. We decided to investigate whether prospective studies support the promises of nonclinical and retrospective clinical studies on repurposing three old drugs, namely metformin, valproate and astemizole.

METHODS

We conducted an extensive literature search through PubMed to gather representative nonclinical and retrospective clinical studies that investigated the potential repurposing of these three drugs for oncological indications. We then searched for prospective studies aimed at confirming the promises of retrospective data.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

While evidence from nonclinical and retrospective clinical studies with these drugs appears highly promising, large scale prospective studies are either lacking or have failed to substantiate this promise. We provide a brief discussion of some of the challenges in repurposing. Principal challenges and obstacles relate to heterogeneity of cancers studied without considering their molecular signatures, trials with small sample size and short duration, failure consider issues of ethnicity of study population and effective antioncogenic doses of the drug studied.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

Well-designed prospective studies demonstrating efficacy are required for repurposing old drugs for oncology indications, just as they are for new chemical entities for any indication. Early and ongoing interactions with regulatory authorities are invaluable. We outline a tentative framework for a structured approach to repurposing old drugs for novel indications in oncology.

Can human allergy drug fexofenadine, an antagonist of histamine (H1) receptor, be used to treat dog and cat? Homology modeling, docking and molecular dynamic Simulation of three H1 receptors in complex with fexofenadine

Fexofenadine, a potent antagonist to human histamine 1 (H₁) receptor, is a non-sedative third generation antihistamine that is widely used to treat various human allergic conditions such as allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis. Encouragingly, it's been successfully used to treat canine atopic dermatitis, this supports the notion that it might have a great potential for treating other canine allergic conditions and other mammal pets such as dog. Regrettably, while there is a myriad of studies conducted on the interactions of antihistamines with human H₁ receptor, the similar studies on non-human pet H₁ are considerably scarce. The published studies using the first and second generation antihistamines drugs have shown that the antihistamine response is varied and unpredictable. Thus, to probe its efficacy on pet, the homology models of dog and cat H₁ receptors were built based on the crystal structure of human H₁ receptor bound to antagonist doxepin (PDB 3RZE) and fexofenadine was subsequently docked to human, dog and cat H₁ receptors. The docked complexes are then subjected to 1000ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with explicit membrane. Our calculated MM/GBSA binding energies indicated that fexofenadine binds comparably to the three receptors; and our MD data also showed the binding poses, structural and dynamic features among three receptors are very similar. Therefore, our data supported the application of fexofenadine to the H₁ related allergic conditions of dog and cat. Nonetheless, subtle systemic differences among human, dog and cat H₁ receptors were also identified. Clearly, there is still a space to develop a more selective, potent and safe antihistamine alternatives such as Fexofenadine for dog or cat based on these differences. Our computation approach might provide a fast and economic way to predict if human antihistamine drugs can also be safely and efficaciously administered to animals.

Dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepines and dibenzo[b,e]oxepines: Influence of the chlorine substitution pattern on the pharmacology at the H1R, H4R, 5-HT2AR and other selected GPCRs

Inspired by VUF6884 (7-Chloro-11-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine), reported as a dual H₁/H₄ receptor ligand (pK_i: 8.11 (human H₁R (hH₁R)), 7.55 (human H₄R (hH₄R))), four known and 28 new oxazepine and related oxepine derivatives were synthesised and pharmacologically characterized at histamine receptors and selected aminergic GPCRs. In contrast to the oxazepine series, within the oxepine series, the new compounds showed high affinity to the hH₁R (pK_i: 6.8-8.7), but no or moderate affinity to the hH₄R (pK_i:≤5.3). For one oxepine derivative (1-(2-Chloro-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)-4-methylpiperazine), the enantiomers were separated and the R-enantiomer was identified as the eutomer at the hH₁R (pK_i: 8.83 (R), 7.63 (S)) and the guinea-pig H₁R (gpH₁R) (pK_i: 8.82 (R), 7.41 (S)). Molecular dynamic studies suggest that the tricyclic core of the compounds is bound in a similar mode into the binding pocket, as described for doxepine in the hH₁R crystal structure. Moreover, docking studies of all oxepine derivatives at the hH₁R indicate that the oxygen and the position of the chlorine in the tricyclic core determines, if the R- or the S-enantiomer is the eutomer. For some of the oxazepines and oxepines the affinity to other aminergic GPCRs is in the same range as to hH₁R or hH₄R, thus, those compounds have to be classified as dirty drugs. However, one oxazepine derivative (3,7-Dichloro-11-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)dibenzo[b,f][1,4]oxazepine was identified as dual hH₁/h5-HT_2A receptor ligand (pK_i: 9.23 (hH₁R), 8.74 (h5-HT_2AR), ≤7 at other analysed GPCRs), whereas one oxepine derivative (1-(3,8-Dichloro-6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]oxepin-11-yl)-4-methylpiperazine) was identified as selective hH₁R antagonist (pK_i: 8.44 (hH₁R), ≤6.7 at other analyzed GPCRs). Thus, the pharmacological results suggest that the oxazepine/oxepine moiety and additionally the chlorine substitution pattern toggles receptor selectivity and specificity.

International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCVIII. Histamine Receptors

Histamine is a developmentally highly conserved autacoid found in most vertebrate tissues. Its physiological functions are mediated by four 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors (H1R, H2R, H3R, H4R) that are all targets of pharmacological intervention. The receptors display molecular heterogeneity and constitutive activity. H1R antagonists are long known antiallergic and sedating drugs, whereas the H2R was identified in the 1970s and led to the development of H2R-antagonists that revolutionized stomach ulcer treatment. The crystal structure of ligand-bound H1R has rendered it possible to design new ligands with novel properties. The H3R is an autoreceptor and heteroreceptor providing negative feedback on histaminergic and inhibition on other neurons. A block of these actions promotes waking. The H4R occurs on immuncompetent cells and the development of anti-inflammatory drugs is anticipated.

2,4-Diaminopyrimidines as dual ligands at the histamine H1 and H4 receptor-H1/H4-receptor selectivity

Distinct diaminopyrimidines, for example, 4-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinazolin-2-amine are histamine H4 receptor (H4R) antagonists and show high affinity to the H4R, but only a moderate affinity to the histamine H1 receptor (H1R). Within previous studies it was shown that an aromatic side chain with a distinct distance to the basic amine and aromatic core is necessary for affinity to the human H1R (hH1R). Thus, a rigid aminopyrimidine with a tricyclic core was used as a lead structure. There, (1) the flexible aromatic side chain was introduced, (2) the substitution pattern of the pyrimidine core was exchanged and (3) rigidity was decreased by opening the tricyclic core. Within the present study, two compounds with similar affinity in the one digit μM range to the human H1R and H4R were identified. While the affinity at the hH1R increased about 4- to 8-fold compared to the parent diaminopyrimidine, the affinity to the hH4R decreased about 5- to 8-fold. In addition to the parent diaminopyrimidine, two selected compounds were docked into the H1R and H4R and molecular dynamic studies were performed to predict the binding mode and explain the experimental results on a molecular level. The two new compounds may be good lead structures for the development of dual H1/H4 receptor ligands with affinities in the same range.

Cherry-picked ligands at histamine receptor subtypes

Histamine, a biogenic amine, is considered as a principle mediator of multiple physiological effects through binding to its H1, H2, H3, and H4 receptors (H1-H4Rs). Currently, the HRs have gained attention as important targets for the treatment of several diseases and disorders ranging from allergy to Alzheimer's disease and immune deficiency. Accordingly, medicinal chemistry studies exploring histamine-like molecules and their physicochemical properties by binding and interacting with the four HRs has led to the development of a diversity of agonists and antagonists that display selectivity for each HR subtype. An overview on H1-R4Rs and developed ligands representing some key steps in development is provided here combined with a short description of structure-activity relationships for each class. Main chemical diversities, pharmacophores, and pharmacological profiles of most innovative H1-H4R agonists and antagonists are highlighted. Therefore, this overview should support the rational choice for the optimal ligand selection based on affinity, selectivity and efficacy data in biochemical and pharmacological studies. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Histamine Receptors'.

Histamine H(1)- and H(4)-receptor signaling cooperatively regulate MAPK activation

The histamine (HA) receptor subtype 1 (H1R) and H4R are expressed on immune cells and contribute to an inflammatory reaction. Both receptor subtypes individually enhance the intracellular concentrations of calcium and regulate the accumulation of cAMP, increase MAPK activity, and regulate expression of e.g., inflammatory genes. In a previous study we characterized and compared signaling pathways of the murine orthologs of the H1R and the H4R recombinantly expressed at comparable levels in HEK 293 cells. In the present study, we aimed at analyzing possible interactions of the signaling pathways emerging at the mH1R and the mH4R. Therefore, we co-expressed both receptor subtypes at comparable levels in HEK 293 cells and investigated HA-induced signaling parameters such as the concentrations of intracellular calcium and cAMP, phosphorylation of the MAPKs p38, ERK 1, and ERK 2, and of the transcription factor CREB, and expression of the immediate early gene EGR-1. We demonstrate that the intracellular concentrations of calcium and cAMP as well as the EGR-1 expression are regulated exclusively via the mH1R. In contrast, both receptor subtypes H1R and H4R synergize in HA-induced MAPK activation. This synergism most probably relies on signaling pathways independent of the second messenger calcium and cAMP. In summary, we provide evidence that the mH1R inhibits or dampens the function of the co-expressed mH4R regarding specific parameters, while other signaling events are regulated cooperatively by the mH1R and the mH4R.

Antihistamines and itch

Histamine is one of the best-characterized pruritogens in humans. It is known to play a role in pruritus associated with urticaria as well as ocular and nasal allergic reactions. Histamine mediates its effect via four receptors. Antihistamines that block the activation of the histamine H₁receptor, H₁R, have been shown to be effective therapeutics for the treatment of pruritus associated with urticaria, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis. However, their efficacy in other pruritic diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis is limited. The other histamine receptors may also play a role in pruritus, with the exception of the histamine H₂receptor, H₂R. Preclinical evidence indicates that local antagonism of the histamine H₃receptor, H₃R, can induce scratching perhaps via blocking inhibitory neuronal signals. The histamine H₄receptor, H₄R, has received a significant amount of attention as to its role in mediating pruritic signals. Indeed, it has now been shown that a selective H₄R antagonist can inhibit histamine-induced itch in humans. This clinical result, in conjunction with efficacy in various preclinical pruritus models, points to the therapeutic potential of H₄R antagonists for the treatment of pruritus not controlled by antihistamines that target the H₁R.

The role of histamine H1 and H4 receptors in atopic dermatitis: from basic research to clinical study

Histamine plays important roles in inflammation and nervous irritability in allergic disorders, including atopic dermatitis (AD). It has been shown to regulate the expression of pruritic factors, such as nerve growth factor and semaphorin 3A, in skin keratinocytes via histamine H1 receptor (H1R). Furthermore, H1R antagonist reduced the level of IL-31, a cytokine involving the skin barrier and pruritus, in chronic dermatitis lesions in NC/Nga mice and patients with AD. Histamine plays roles in the induction of allergic inflammation by activating eosinophils, mast cells, basophils, and Th2 cells via histamine H4 receptor (H4R). H4R, in addition to H1R, is expressed on sensory neurons, and a decrease in scratching behaviors was observed in H4R-deficient mice and mice treated with a H4R antagonist. We found that the combined administration of H1R and H4R antagonists inhibited the itch response and chronic allergic inflammation, and had a pharmacological effect similar to that of prednisolone. Although the oral administration of H1R antagonists is widely used to treat AD, it is not very effective. In contrast, JNJ39758979, a novel H4R antagonist, had marked effects against pruritus in Japanese patients with AD in a phase II clinical trial. Next generation antihistaminic agents possessing H1R and H4R antagonistic actions may be a potent therapeutic drug for AD.

Histamine H4 receptor ligands: future applications and state of art

Histamine is a chemical transmitter found practically in whole organism and exerts its effects through the interaction with H1 to H4 histaminergic receptors. Specifically, H4 receptors are found mainly in immune cells and blood-forming tissues, thus are involved in inflammatory and immune processes, as well as some actions in central nervous system. Therefore, H4 receptor ligands can have applications in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and immune diseases and may be novel therapeutic option in these conditions. Several H4 receptor ligands have been described from early 2000's until nowadays, being imidazole, indolecarboxamide, 2-aminopyrimidine, quinazoline, and quinoxaline scaffolds the most explored and discussed in this review. Moreover, several studies of molecular modeling using homology models of H4 receptor and QSAR data of the ligands are summarized. The increasing and promising therapeutic applications are leading these compounds to clinical trials, which probably will be part of the next generation of blockbuster drugs.

Chronic ingestion of H1-antihistamines increase progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-/- mice

Although increased serum histamine levels and H1R expression in the plaque are seen in atherosclerosis, it is not known whether H1R activation is a causative factor in the development of the disease, or is a host defense response to atherogenic signals. In order to elucidate how pharmacological inhibition of histamine receptor 1 (H1R) signaling affects atherogenesis, we administered either cetirizine (1 and 4 mg/kg. b.w) or fexofenadine (10 and 40 mg/kg. b.w) to ApoE^−/− mice maintained on a high fat diet for three months. Mice ingesting a low dose of cetirizine or fexofenadine had significantly higher plaque coverage in the aorta and cross-sectional lesion area at the aortic root. Surprisingly, the higher doses of cetirizine or fexofenadine did not enhance atherosclerotic lesion coverage over the controls. The low dose of fexofenadine, but not cetirizine, increased serum LDL cholesterol. Interestingly, the expression of iNOS and eNOS mRNA was increased in aortas of mice on high doses of cetirizine or fexofenadine. This may be a compensatory nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilatory mechanism that accounts for the lack of increase in the progression of atherosclerosis. Although the administration of cetirizine did not alter blood pressure between the groups, there was a positive correlation between blood pressure and lesion/media ratio at the aortic root in mice receiving the low dose of cetirizine. However, this association was not observed in mice treated with the high dose of cetirizine or either doses of fexofenadine. The macrophages or T lymphocytes densities were not altered by low doses of H1-antihistamines, whereas, high doses decreased the number of macrophages but not T lymphocytes. The number of mast cells was decreased only in mice treated with low dose of fexofenadine. These results demonstrate that chronic ingestion of low therapeutic doses of cetirizine or fexofenadine enhance progression of atherosclerosis.

Luciferase reporter gene assay on human, murine and rat histamine H4 receptor orthologs: correlations and discrepancies between distal and proximal readouts

The investigation of the (patho)physiological role of the histamine H4 receptor (H4R) and its validation as a possible drug target in translational animal models are compromised by distinct species-dependent discrepancies regarding potencies and receptor subtype selectivities of the pharmacological tools. Such differences were extremely pronounced in case of proximal readouts, e. g. [(32)P]GTPase or [(35)S]GTPγS binding assays. To improve the predictability of in vitro investigations, the aim of this study was to establish a reporter gene assay for human, murine and rat H4Rs, using bioluminescence as a more distal readout. For this purpose a cAMP responsive element (CRE) controlled luciferase reporter gene assay was established in HEK293T cells, stably expressing the human (h), the mouse (m) or the rat (r) H4R. The potencies and efficacies of 23 selected ligands (agonists, inverse agonists and antagonists) were determined and compared with the results obtained from proximal readouts. The potencies of the examined ligands at the human H4R were consistent with reported data from [(32)P]GTPase or [(35)S]GTPγS binding assays, despite a tendency toward increased intrinsic efficacies of partial agonists. The differences in potencies of individual agonists at the three H4R orthologs were generally less pronounced compared to more proximal readouts. In conclusion, the established reporter gene assay is highly sensitive and reliable. Regarding discrepancies compared to data from functional assays such as [(32)P]GTPase and [(35)S]GTPγS binding, the readout may reflect multifactorial causes downstream from G-protein activation, e.g. activation/amplification of or cross-talk between different signaling pathways.

The dual H3/4R antagonist thioperamide does not fully mimic the effects of the 'standard' H4R antagonist JNJ 7777120 in experimental murine asthma

Histamine is detected in high concentrations in the airways during an allergic asthma response. In a murine model of allergic asthma, the histamine H4 receptor (H4R)-selective ligand JNJ 7777120 reduces asthma-like symptoms. A sole antagonistic function of JNJ 7777120 at the murine H4R has, however, been questioned in the literature. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed at analyzing the effects of JNJ 7777120 in comparison to that of the H3/4R-selective antagonist thioperamide. Experimental murine asthma was induced by sensitization and provocation of BALB/c mice with ovalbumine (OVA). JNJ 7777120, thioperamide, or JNJ 5207852, an H3R-selective antagonist which was used to dissect H3R- and H4R-mediated activities of thioperamide, were injected subcutaneously during sensitization and effects were analyzed after provocation. Pharmacokinetic analyses revealed shortest t1/2 values in both plasma and lung tissue and lowest maximal concentration in lung tissue for JNJ 7777120 in comparison to thioperamide and JNJ 5207852. Nevertheless, JNJ 7777120 reduced serum titers of allergen-specific (anti-OVA) IgE, inflammatory infiltrations in lung tissue, and eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In contrast, thioperamide reduced only eosinophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, while anti-OVA IgE concentrations and lung infiltrations remained unaffected. JNJ 5207852 had no effect on these parameters. JNJ 7777120 provides beneficial effects in experimental murine asthma, which, however, could only partially be mimicked by thioperamide, despite more favorable pharmacokinetics. Thus, whether these effects of JNJ 7777120 are entirely attributable to an antagonistic activity at the murine H4R or whether an agonistic activity is also involved has to be reconsidered.

Histamine H4 receptor antagonists as potent modulators of mammalian vestibular primary neuron excitability

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Betahistine, the main histamine drug prescribed to treat vestibular disorders, is a histamine H(3) receptor antagonist. Here, we explored the potential for modulation of the most recently cloned histamine receptor (H(4) receptor) to influence vestibular system function, using a selective H(4) receptor antagonist JNJ 7777120 and the derivate compound JNJ 10191584.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

RT-PCR was used to assess the presence of H(4) receptors in rat primary vestibular neurons. In vitro electrophysiological recordings and in vivo behavioural approaches using specific antagonists were employed to examine the effect of H(4) receptor modulation in the rat vestibular system.

KEY RESULTS

The transcripts of H(4) and H(3) receptors were present in rat vestibular ganglia. Application of betahistine inhibited the evoked action potential firing starting at micromolar range, accompanied by subsequent strong neuronal depolarization at higher concentrations. Conversely, reversible inhibitory effects elicited by JNJ 10191584 and JNJ 7777120 began in the nanomolar range, without inducing neuronal depolarization. This effect was reversed by application of the selective H(4) receptor agonist 4-methylhistamine. Thioperamide, a H(3) /H(4) receptor antagonist, exerted effects similar to those of H(3) and H(4) receptor antagonists, namely inhibition of firing at nanomolar range and membrane depolarization above 100 µM. H(4) receptor antagonists significantly alleviated the vestibular deficits induced in rats, while neither betahistine nor thioperamide had significant effects.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

H(4) receptor antagonists have a pronounced inhibitory effect on vestibular neuron activity. This result highlights the potential role of H(4) receptors as pharmacological targets for the treatment of vestibular disorders.

Molecular and cellular analysis of human histamine receptor subtypes

The human histamine receptors hH(1)R and hH(2)R constitute important drug targets, and hH(3)R and hH(4)R have substantial potential in this area. Considering the species-specificity of pharmacology of H(x)R orthologs, it is important to analyze hH(x)Rs. Here, we summarize current knowledge of hH(x)Rs endogenously expressed in human cells and hH(x)Rs recombinantly expressed in mammalian and insect cells. We present the advantages and disadvantages of the various systems. We also discuss problems associated with the use of hH(x)R antibodies, an issue of general relevance for G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). There is much greater overlap in activity of 'selective' ligands for other hH(x)Rs than the cognate receptor subtype than generally appreciated. Studies with native and recombinant systems support the concept of ligand-specific receptor conformations, encompassing agonists and antagonists. It is emerging that for characterization of hH(x)R ligands, one cannot rely on a single test system and a single parameter. Rather, multiple systems and parameters have to be studied. Although such studies are time-consuming and expensive, ultimately, they will increase drug safety and efficacy.

Histamine H4 receptor ligands and their potential therapeutic applications: an update

INTRODUCTION

Several studies underlined the critical role of histamine H4 receptor (H4R) in inflammation, thus H4 modulators have been suggested as promising drug candidates in inflammatory diseases. First H4 ligands typically have indole or amino-pyrimidine scaffolds. During the last few years, however, serious efforts have been made to identify novel H4 chemotypes with improved pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties.

AREAS COVERED

Areas covered in this review include an overview on H4 ligands published in scientific papers, as well as in patent applications between 2009 and 2011. Recently discovered scaffolds possessing significant H4 activity were analyzed and their therapeutic potential was reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION

Recent results from the scientific literature and novel patent applications reinforce the major role of H4R in inflammatory diseases such as pruritus, asthma, inflammatory pain and allergic rhinitis. Novel studies suggest further indications of H4 modulators in cancer, neuropathic pain, vestibular disorders and type 2 diabetes. The number of active H4 chemotypes was increased significantly. The first H4 antagonist entered to clinics and the results from a proof-of-concept Phase II clinical study is expected to be disclosed soon.

Mepyramine-JNJ7777120-hybrid compounds show high affinity to hH(1)R, but low affinity to hH(4)R

In literature, a synergism between histamine H(1) and H(4) receptor is discussed. Furthermore, it was shown, that the combined application of mepyramine, a H(1) antagonist and JNJ7777120, a H(4) receptor ligand leads to a synergistic effect in the acute murine asthma model. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop new hybrid ligands, containing one H(1) and one H(4) pharmacophor, connected by an appropriate spacer, in order to address both, H(1)R and H(4)R. Within this study, we synthesized nine hybrid compounds, which were pharmacologically characterized at hH(1)R and hH(4)R. The new compounds revealed (high) affinity to hH(1)R, but showed only low affinity to hH(4)R. Additionally, we performed molecular dynamic studies for some selected compounds at hH(1)R, in order to obtain information about the binding mode of these compounds on molecular level.

The role of histamine in asthma

Histamine is a ubiquitous inflammatory mediator intimately associated with the pathology of allergy. Traditional antihistamines, targeting the histamine H1 receptor, have failed to demonstrate a significant role for histamine in asthma. Novel immunomodulatory roles for histamine and the discovery of a novel histamine receptor, the histamine H4 receptor, have resulted in a reassessment of its importance in asthma.

The role of the histamine H4 receptor in atopic dermatitis

The pathology of atopic dermatitis is orchestrated on the cellular level by several different cell types in the characteristic skin lesions. In such lesions, histamine as a mediator of many biological functions is also present in high concentrations. Most of the cells involved in the inflammatory responses express the histamine H1 and H2 receptors, but drugs targeting these receptors are not clinically effective. The discovery of the fourth histamine receptor, which is differentially expressed on immune and nonimmune cells, has shed new light on the actions of histamine in the complexity of atopic dermatitis. In this review, we describe a possible genetic impact on the expression level of the histamine H4 receptor and summarize the current data regarding the activity of the histamine H4 receptor on the key effector cells in atopic dermatitis. We do so in the context of whether the histamine H4 receptor offers a novel target for effective treatments of inflammatory skin diseases.

Coexpression systems as models for the analysis of constitutive GPCR activity

The investigation of constitutive activity of GPCRs in transfected mammalian cells is often hampered by the presence of other constitutively active receptors that generate a high background signal. This impairs the measurement of constitutive activity and of inverse agonistic effects, both of which often occur in a relatively small signal range. Moreover, constitutive activity of a GPCR depends on the interacting G-protein. Since the commonly used mammalian cells contain a set of several different G-protein types, it is very difficult to investigate the influence of specific Gα and Gβγ subunits on constitutive activity in more detail in these expression systems. Here, we show that the Sf9 cell/baculovirus expression system provides excellent conditions for the characterization of constitutively active GPCRs. Sf9 cells express a restricted set of G-protein subtypes that show only a limited capability of interacting with mammalian GPCRs. Moreover, the Sf9 cell/baculovirus expression system allows the combined expression of up to four different proteins encoded by the respective genetically modified baculoviruses. Using the highly constitutively active human histamine H₄R (hH₄R) as a paradigm, we demonstrate how the coexpression of hH₄R with different signaling proteins (Gα, Gβγ, and RGS-proteins) in combination with sensitive functional assays (high-affinity agonist binding and steady-state GTPase- and GTPγS-binding assays) allows in-depth studies of constitutive activity. The preparation of Sf9 cell membranes, coexpressing hH₄R and various additional proteins, is described in detail as well as the procedures of the different functional assays. Moreover, we show that coexpression of GPCRs with signal transduction components in Sf9 cells can also be applied to the characterization of other constitutively active receptors, for example, the formyl peptide receptor and β₂-adrenoceptor.

Expression and functional properties of canine, rat, and murine histamine H₄ receptors in Sf9 insect cells

The histamine H₄ receptor (H₄R) is expressed on cells of the immune system including eosinophils, dendritic cells, and T cells and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, and pruritus. Analysis of the H₄R in these diseases depends on the use of animal models. However, there are substantial pharmacological differences between various H₄R species orthologs. The purpose of this study was to analyze the pharmacological properties of canine, rat, and murine H₄R in comparison to human H₄R expressed in Sf9 insect cells. Only hH₄R and cH₄R exhibited a sufficiently high [³H]histamine affinity for radioligand binding studies. Generally, cH₄R exhibited lower ligand-affinities than hH₄R. Similarly, in high-affinity GTPase studies, ligands were more potent at hH₄R than at other H₄R species orthologs. Unlike the other H₄R species orthologs, hH₄R exhibited high agonist-independent (constitutive) activity. Most strikingly, the prototypical H₄R antagonist (1-[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]-4-methylpiperazine) (JNJ7777120) exhibited partial agonistic activity at cH₄R, rH₄R, and mH₄R, whereas at hH₄R, JNJ7777120 was a partial inverse agonist. H₄R agonists from the class of N ( G )-acylated imidazolylpropylguanidines and cyanoguanidines exhibited substantial differences in terms of affinity, potency, and efficacy among H₄R species orthologs, too. The species-dependent pharmacological profiles are not due to the highly variable amino acid sequence position 341. Finally, H₄R species orthologs differ from each other in terms of regulation by NaCl. Collectively, there are profound pharmacological differences between H₄R species orthologs. Most importantly, caution must be exerted when interpreting pharmacological effects of "the prototypical H₄R antagonist" JNJ7777120 as H₄R antagonism.

Paradoxical stimulatory effects of the "standard" histamine H4-receptor antagonist JNJ7777120: the H4 receptor joins the club of 7 transmembrane domain receptors exhibiting functional selectivity

The histamine H(4) receptor (H(4)R) is expressed in several cell types of the immune system and is assumed to play an important pro-inflammatory role in various diseases, including bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis, and pruritus. Accordingly, H(4)R antagonists have been suggested to provide valuable drugs for the treatment of these diseases. Over the past decade, the indole derivative 1-[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]-4-methylpiperazine (JNJ7777120) has become the "standard" H(4)R antagonist and has been extensively used to assess the pathophysiological role of the H(4)R. However, the situation has now become more complicated by recent data (p. 749 and Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol doi: 10.1007/s00210-011-0612-3) showing that JNJ7777120 can also activate β-arrestin in a supposedly G(i)-protein-independent (pertussis toxin-insensitive) manner and that at certain H(4)R species orthologs, JNJ7777120 exhibits partial agonist efficacy with respect to G(i)-protein activation (steady-state high-affinity GTPase activity). These novel findings can be explained within the concept of functional selectivity or biased signaling, assuming unique ligand-specific receptor conformations with distinct signal transduction capabilities. Thus, great caution must be exerted when interpreting in vivo effects of JNJ7777120 as H(4)R antagonism. We discuss future directions to get out of the current dilemma in which there is no "standard" H(4)R antagonist available to the scientific community.

Histamine H4 receptor agonists

Since its discovery 10 years ago the histamine H(4) receptor (H(4)R) has attracted attention as a potential drug target, for instance, for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases. Potent and selective ligands including agonists are required as pharmacological tools to study the role of the H(4)R in vitro and in vivo. Many H(4)R agonists, which were identified among already known histamine receptor ligands, show only low or insufficient H(4)R selectivity. In addition, the investigation of numerous H(4)R agonists in animal models is hampered by species-dependent discrepancies regarding potencies and histamine receptor selectivities of the available compounds, especially when comparing human and rodent receptors. This article gives an overview about structures, potencies, and selectivities of various compounds showing H(4)R agonistic activity and summarizes the structure-activity relationships of selected compound classes.

Impact of the DRY motif and the missing "ionic lock" on constitutive activity and G-protein coupling of the human histamine H4 receptor

It is assumed that many G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are restrained in an inactive state by the "ionic lock," an interaction between an arginine in transmembrane domain (TM) 3 (R3.50) and a negatively charged residue in TM6 (D/E6.30). In the human histamine H4 receptor (hH4R), alanine is present in position 6.30. To elucidate whether this mutation causes the high constitutive activity of hH4R, we aimed to reconstitute the ionic lock by constructing the A6.30E mutant. The role of R3.50 was investigated by generating hH4R-R3.50A. Both mutants were expressed alone or together with Galpha(i2) and Gbeta1gamma2 in Sf9 cells and characterized in GTPase, 35S-labeled guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate binding, and high-affinity agonist binding assays. Unexpectedly, compared with hH4R, hH4R-A6.30E showed only nonsignificant reduction of constitutive activity and G protein-coupling efficiency. The KD of [3H]histamine was unaltered. By contrast, hH4R-R3.50A did not stimulate G proteins. Thioperamide affinity at hH(4)R-R3.50A was increased by 300 to 400%, whereas histamine affinity was reduced by approximately 50%. A model of the active hH4R state in complex with the Galpha(i2) C terminus was compared with the crystal structures of turkey beta1 and human beta2 adrenoceptors. We conclude that 1) constitutive activity of hH4R is facilitated by the salt bridge D5.69-R6.31 rather than by the missing ionic lock, 2) Y3.60 may form alternative locks in active and inactive GPCR states, 3) R3.50 is crucial for hH4R-G protein coupling, and 4) hH4R-R3.50A represents an inactive state with increased inverse agonist and reduced agonist affinity. Thus, the ionic lock, although stabilizing the inactive rhodopsin state, is not generally important for all class A GPCRs.