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Thomas SD, Abdalla S, Eissa N, Akour A, Jha NK, Ojha S, Sadek B. Targeting Microglia in Neuroinflammation: H3 Receptor Antagonists as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:831. [PMID: 39065682 PMCID: PMC11279978 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Histamine performs dual roles as an immune regulator and a neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. The histaminergic system plays a vital role in the regulation of wakefulness, cognition, neuroinflammation, and neurogenesis that are substantially disrupted in various neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) antagonists and inverse agonists potentiate the endogenous release of brain histamine and have been shown to enhance cognitive abilities in animal models of several brain disorders. Microglial activation and subsequent neuroinflammation are implicated in impacting embryonic and adult neurogenesis, contributing to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Acknowledging the importance of microglia in both neuroinflammation and neurodevelopment, as well as their regulation by histamine, offers an intriguing therapeutic target for these disorders. The inhibition of brain H3Rs has been found to facilitate a shift from a proinflammatory M1 state to an anti-inflammatory M2 state, leading to a reduction in the activity of microglial cells. Also, pharmacological studies have demonstrated that H3R antagonists showed positive effects by reducing the proinflammatory biomarkers, suggesting their potential role in simultaneously modulating crucial brain neurotransmissions and signaling cascades such as the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway. In this review, we highlight the potential therapeutic role of the H3R antagonists in addressing the pathology and cognitive decline in brain disorders, e.g., AD, PD, and ASD, with an inflammatory component.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilu Deepa Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (S.D.T.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 1551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sabna Abdalla
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (S.D.T.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 1551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nermin Eissa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amal Akour
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (S.D.T.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 1551, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 602105, India
- Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, India
- School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (S.D.T.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 1551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates; (S.D.T.); (S.A.)
- Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 1551, United Arab Emirates
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Fang Z, Chen J, Zheng Y, Chen Z. Targeting Histamine and Histamine Receptors for Memory Regulation: An Emotional Perspective. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:1846-1869. [PMID: 38288837 PMCID: PMC11284729 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666240128003108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Histamine has long been accepted as a pro-cognitive agent. However, lines of evidence have suggested that the roles of histamine in learning and memory processes are much more complex than previously thought. When explained by the spatial perspectives, there are many contradictory results. However, using emotional memory perspectives, we suspect that the histaminergic system may interplay with stress, reward inhibition, and attention to modulate emotional memory formation. The functional diversity of histamine makes it a viable target for clinical management of neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we update the current knowledge about the functions of histamine in emotional memory and summarize the underlying molecular and neural circuit mechanisms. Finally, we review the main clinical studies about the impacts of histamine-related compounds on memory and discuss insights into future research on the roles of histamine in emotional memory. Despite the recent progress in histamine research, the histaminergic emotional memory circuits are poorly understood, and it is also worth verifying the functions of histamine receptors in a more spatiotemporally specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuowen Fang
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jiahui Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yanrong Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Translational Medicine of Zhejiang Province, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China
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Tajti BT, Yoon O, Ernyey AJ, Gáspár A, Varga BT, Gyertyán I. Using Appetitive Motivation to Train Mice for Spatial Learning in the Barnes Maze. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 2023:6625491. [PMID: 38149091 PMCID: PMC10751176 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6625491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The Barnes maze, a well-known spatial-learning paradigm, is based on the innate fear of rodents of large open spaces and their drive to hide. However, additional aversive stimuli (strong light and threatening sounds) are often necessary to provoke the hiding response while rendering the method cumbersome and more stressful. Our objective was to establish a Barnes maze-learning paradigm in mice using palatable food as a reward. After habituating male C57BL6/J or NMRI mice to the reward, the experimenter and the apparatus, either a slow (2 trials/day) or a massive conditioning schedule (4 trials/day), was run. Acquisition training was carried out until mice could locate the reward box with a maximum of one hole error. Then, the box was replaced to another location (reversal phase). Mice needed to relearn the new position with the same criterion. One week later, retention trials were performed. Both strains could reach the learning criteria; in the massive training within a shorter period. Spatial memory was demonstrated in the reversal and retention trials. Our results show that palatable food can be used as an efficient motivator to acquire allocentric navigation in the Barnes maze with the additional advantage of being less stressful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitta Tekla Tajti
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Biology and Institute of Biology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ojin Yoon
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Aliz Judit Ernyey
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Gáspár
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Bence Tamás Varga
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Gyertyán
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Alhusaini M, Eissa N, Saad AK, Beiram R, Sadek B. Revisiting Preclinical Observations of Several Histamine H3 Receptor Antagonists/Inverse Agonists in Cognitive Impairment, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep-Wake Cycle Disorder. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:861094. [PMID: 35721194 PMCID: PMC9198498 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.861094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
A relationship appears to exist between dysfunction of brain histamine (HA) and various neuropsychiatric brain disorders. The possible involvement of brain HA in neuropathology has gained attention recently, and its role in many (patho)physiological brain functions including memory, cognition, and sleep-wake cycle paved the way for further research on the etiology of several brain disorders. Histamine H3 receptor (H3R) evidenced in the brains of rodents and humans remains of special interest, given its unique position as a pre- and postsynaptic receptor, controlling the synthesis and release of HA as well as different other neurotransmitters in different brain regions, respectively. Despite several disappointing outcomes for several H3R antagonists/inverse agonists in clinical studies addressing their effectiveness in Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and schizophrenia (SCH), numerous H3R antagonists/inverse agonists showed great potentials in modulating memory and cognition, mood, and sleep-wake cycle, thus suggesting its potential role in neurocognitive and neurodegenerative diseases such as AD, PD, SCH, narcolepsy, and major depression in preclinical rodent models. In this review, we present preclinical applications of selected H3R antagonists/inverse agonists and their pharmacological effects on cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, and sleep-wake cycle disorders. Collectively, the current review highlights the behavioral impact of developments of H3R antagonists/inverse agonists, aiming to further encourage researchers in the preclinical drug development field to profile the potential therapeutic role of novel antagonists/inverse agonists targeting histamine H3Rs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mera Alhusaini
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nermin Eissa
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ali K Saad
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rami Beiram
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Bassem Sadek
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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