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1.
Transl Psychiatry ; 7(1): e1013, 2017 01 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28117842

ABSTRACT

Tic disorders affect ~5% of the population and are frequently comorbid with obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism, and attention deficit disorder. Histamine dysregulation has been identified as a rare genetic cause of tic disorders; mice with a knockout of the histidine decarboxylase (Hdc) gene represent a promising pathophysiologically grounded model. How alterations in the histamine system lead to tics and other neuropsychiatric pathology, however, remains unclear. We found elevated expression of the histamine H3 receptor in the striatum of Hdc knockout mice. The H3 receptor has significant basal activity even in the absence of ligand and thus may modulate striatal function in this knockout model. We probed H3R function using specific agonists. The H3 agonists R-aminomethylhistamine (RAMH) and immepip produced behavioral stereotypies in KO mice, but not in controls. H3 agonist treatment elevated intra-striatal dopamine in KO mice, but not in controls. This was associated with elevations in phosphorylation of rpS6, a sensitive marker of neural activity, in the dorsal striatum. We used a novel chemogenetic strategy to demonstrate that this dorsal striatal activity is necessary and sufficient for the development of stereotypy: when RAMH-activated cells in the dorsal striatum were chemogenetically activated (in the absence of RAMH), stereotypy was recapitulated in KO animals, and when they were silenced the ability of RAMH to produce stereotypy was blocked. These results identify the H3 receptor in the dorsal striatum as a contributor to repetitive behavioral pathology.


Subject(s)
Corpus Striatum/drug effects , Histamine Agonists/pharmacology , Receptors, Histamine H3/metabolism , Stereotyped Behavior/drug effects , Tic Disorders/genetics , Animals , Corpus Striatum/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Dopamine/metabolism , Histidine Decarboxylase/genetics , Imidazoles/pharmacology , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Phosphorylation , Piperidines/pharmacology , Ribosomal Protein S6/drug effects , Ribosomal Protein S6/metabolism , Tic Disorders/metabolism
2.
Clin Exp Dermatol ; 39(8): 924-31, 2014 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25196929

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Repeated exposure to allergens induces chronic allergic lesions in the skin and a shift in the cutaneous cytokine milieu to T helper (Th)2. AIM: To assess the relationships between Th17 and Th2 response during allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in mice. METHODS: ACD was induced in C57BL/6 mice by single or repeated epicutaneous challenge of 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene. Relationships between Th17 and Th2 response were analyzed by immunohistochemical observations and activity of cytokines on days 8 (first challenge), 18 (11th challenge), 28 (21st challenge) and 38 (31st challenge). RESULTS: On day 8, tissue levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-22 were high, whereas tissue levels of IL-4 and serum IgE concentration were low. Following acute contact dermatitis, mice developed chronic eczematous lesions on day 18, and gradually improved on days 28 and 38. Tissue IL-4 and serum IgE levels corresponded to the development and improvement of chronic eczematous lesions. Numbers of Th17 cells and tissue levels of IL-17 and IL-22 rapidly decreased as IL-4 and IgE levels increased on day 18. As levels of IL-4 and IgE decreased, the number of Th17 cells and tissue levels of IL-17 and IL-22 increased again on days 28 and 38. On day 18, tissue levels of Th17 response-inducing cytokines (IL-6, IL-23 and transforming growth factor-ß) were high, and IL-23-expressing cells appeared in abundance, when Th2 response was extremely high. IL-17 injection decreased tissue IL-4 and serum IgE levels. CONCLUSIONS: Th17 correlates closely with Th2 in murine chronic ACD induced by repeated epicutaneous challenge.


Subject(s)
Cytokines/metabolism , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/immunology , Th17 Cells/metabolism , Th2 Cells/metabolism , Acute Disease , Allergens/immunology , Allergens/toxicity , Animals , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , Immunoglobulin E/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Picryl Chloride/immunology , Picryl Chloride/toxicity
3.
Br J Surg ; 101(11): 1391-6, 2014 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25116167

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: One of the complications of lymphoedema is recurrent cellulitis. The aim was to determine whether lymphaticovenous anastomosis (LVA) was effective at reducing cellulitis in patients with lymphoedema. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of patients with arm/leg lymphoedema who underwent LVA. The frequency of cellulitis was compared before and after surgery. The diagnostic criteria for cellulitis were a fever of 38·5°C or higher, and warmth/redness in the affected limb(s). RESULTS: A total of 95 patients were included. The mean number of episodes of cellulitis in the year preceding surgery was 1·46, compared with 0·18 in the year after surgery (P < 0·001). CONCLUSION: LVA reduced the rate of cellulitis in these patients with lymphoedema.


Subject(s)
Cellulitis/prevention & control , Lymphatic Vessels/surgery , Lymphedema/surgery , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anastomosis, Surgical/methods , Arm , Female , Humans , Leg , Lymphedema/complications , Male , Microsurgery/methods , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Secondary Prevention
4.
Br Poult Sci ; 53(2): 183-9, 2012.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22646783

ABSTRACT

1. The aim of this work was to select lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from chicks and hens of egg-laying strains for potential use to control Salmonellae. 2. Nineteen LAB strains obtained from culture collections, and 24 strains isolated from excreta of laying hens and chicks, were evaluated for inhibitory capacities against two Salmonella serotypes using a "Spot-the-lawn" technique and other in vitro properties that could be predictive of antimicrobial activity. 3. The size of the inhibition zone differed slightly between Salmonella serotypes, however, the mean size of the Salmonella inhibition zone differed greatly among the LAB strains. Lactobacillus salivarius, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri exhibited powerful inhibitory effects to each Salmonella strain. 4. The result of the acid tolerance test showed that all L. salivarius, L. kitasatonis strains and each of L. ingluviei cannot survive in a low pH environment. In the bile acid tolerance assay, growth was inhibited in all strains, except L. kitasatonis HE4, and a large inhibition was observed in most of the L. salivarius and L. crispatus strains. 5. The results demonstrate that some LAB of poultry origin were able to inhibit the growth of Salmonella and survive simulated passage through the gastrointestinal tract. The selected LAB could act in the lower gastrointestinal tract to prevent salmonellosis in poultry.


Subject(s)
Chickens/microbiology , Feces/microbiology , Lactobacillus/physiology , Salmonella enteritidis/growth & development , Salmonella typhimurium/growth & development , Animals , Female , Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Lactobacillus/isolation & purification , Male , Probiotics , Salmonella Infections, Animal/microbiology , Salmonella Infections, Animal/prevention & control
5.
Allergy ; 65(3): 319-26, 2010 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19886918

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The present study observed effects of the histamine H(4) receptor on chronic allergic contact dermatitis induced by repeated challenge in mice. METHODS: Acute contact dermatitis was induced by single epicutaneous challenge of 2,4,6-trinitro-1-chlorobenzene (TNCB) to the ear. Chronic allergic contact dermatitis was developed by repeated epicutaneous challenge using TNCB on the dorsal back skin. H(4) receptor antagonist JNJ7777120 was administered to wild-type mice, while H(4) receptor agonist 4-methylhistamine was administered to histidine decarboxylase (HDC) (-/-) mice that synthesized no histamine. RESULTS: HDC (-/-) mice did not differ phenotypically from HDC (+/+) mice, and H(4) receptor antagonist/agonist did not have clinical effects in terms of acute contact dermatitis reactions. H(4) receptor antagonist ameliorated skin eczematous lesions induced by repeated TNCB challenge in HDC (+/+) mice. On the contrary, H(4) receptor agonist exacerbated skin lesions exclusively in HDC (-/-) mice. Application of H(4) receptor agonist induced migration of mast cells and eosinophils in skin lesions, and H(4) receptor antagonist suppressed these changes. H(4) receptor was immunohistochemically detected on mast cells in eczematous lesions. Levels of interleukin (IL)-4, -5, and -6 in lesions were decreased, whereas levels of interferon-gamma and IL-12 were increased by H(4) receptor antagonistic activity. Serum Immunoglobulin E levels rapidly increased with repeated challenge, but decreased with H(4) receptor antagonist. CONCLUSION: Because chronic allergic contact dermatitis is developed by H(4) receptor stimulation, H(4) receptor antagonists might represent new candidate drugs for treating chronic allergic contact dermatitis.


Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/drug therapy , Histamine Antagonists/pharmacology , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/immunology , Receptors, Histamine/immunology , Animals , Chemotaxis, Leukocyte/immunology , Chronic Disease , Cytokines/biosynthesis , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/immunology , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/metabolism , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Histamine Agonists/pharmacology , Immunohistochemistry , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Picryl Chloride/immunology , Picryl Chloride/toxicity , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , Receptors, Histamine/metabolism , Receptors, Histamine H4
6.
Infect Immun ; 77(12): 5359-68, 2009 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19822651

ABSTRACT

The course and outcome of infection with mycobacteria are determined by a complex interplay between the immune system of the host and the survival mechanisms developed by the bacilli. Recent data suggest a regulatory role of histamine not only in the innate but also in the adaptive immune response. We used a model of pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in histamine-deficient mice lacking histidine decarboxylase (HDC(-/-)), the histamine-synthesizing enzyme. To confirm that mycobacterial infection induced histamine production, we exposed mice to M. tuberculosis and compared responses in C57BL/6 (wild-type) and HDC(-/-) mice. Histamine levels increased around fivefold above baseline in infected C57BL/6 mice at day 28 of infection, whereas only small amounts were detected in the lungs of infected HDC(-/-) mice. Blocking histamine production decreased both neutrophil influx into lung tissue and the release of proinflammatory mediators, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), in the acute phase of infection. However, the accumulation and activation of CD4(+) T cells were augmented in the lungs of infected HDC(-/-) mice and correlated with a distinct granuloma formation that contained abundant lymphocytic infiltration and reduced numbers of mycobacteria 28 days after infection. Furthermore, the production of IL-12, gamma interferon, and nitric oxide, as well as CD11c(+) cell influx into the lungs of infected HDC(-/-) mice, was increased. These findings indicate that histamine produced after M. tuberculosis infection may play a regulatory role not only by enhancing the pulmonary neutrophilia and production of IL-6 and TNF-alpha but also by impairing the protective Th1 response, which ultimately restricts mycobacterial growth.


Subject(s)
Histamine/immunology , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/immunology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/immunology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/pathology , Animals , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Granuloma/microbiology , Granuloma/pathology , Histidine Decarboxylase/deficiency , Lung/immunology , Lung/pathology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Neutrophils/immunology , Nitric Oxide/metabolism
7.
Thorax ; 64(1): 44-9, 2009 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18835962

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Statins are widely used to treat hyperlipidaemia. Their immunosuppressive effect has recently been confirmed in various immune mediated disease models. However, relatively few studies have been conducted on allergic inflammation, so the precise mechanisms of their actions against allergies have not been fully clarified. On the other hand, the role of interleukin (IL)17 in immune responses has been recently highlighted, but whether statins affect IL17 production has not been well studied. The effect of pravastatin on allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model was examined to elucidate the mechanism of action, focusing on its effect on IL17 production. METHODS: BALB/c mice were immunised with ovalbumin (OVA) and then challenged with OVA aerosol. Pravastatin was delivered by intraperitoneal injection during either sensitisation or the challenge. RESULTS: When delivered during systemic sensitisation, pravastatin suppressed OVA induced proliferation and production of Th2 type cytokines such as IL5 in spleen cells ex vivo and in vitro. IL17 production was also suppressed. Furthermore, pavastatin delivered during the inhalation of OVA attenuated eosinophilic airway inflammation, OVA specific IgE production in serum and OVA induced IL17 production in the thoracic lymph node. We also found that pravastatin attenuated the antigen presenting capacity of CD11c(+) cells obtained from the OVA challenged lung. CONCLUSION: Pravastatin suppresses the systemic sensitisation to allergen with downregulation of IL17 production. It also suppresses an ongoing immune response in the airway partly by suppressing antigen presentation in the lung. Therefore, statins could be a novel therapeutic option for treatment of asthma.


Subject(s)
Antigens/immunology , Bronchitis/immunology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Interleukin-17/biosynthesis , Pravastatin/pharmacology , Respiratory Hypersensitivity/immunology , Animals , Bronchi/immunology , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/immunology , Down-Regulation , Eosinophils/immunology , Immunity, Cellular/drug effects , Immunoglobulins/immunology , Lymph Nodes/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Ovalbumin/pharmacology , Spleen/immunology
8.
Int J Lab Hematol ; 31(2): 215-26, 2009 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18284417

ABSTRACT

The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) gene encodes a basic helix-loop-helix and leucin zipper protein. In this study, we identified a novel MITF isoform, MITF-CM, which possesses a unique amino terminus. Exon 1CM is located 84 kb upstream of the exon encoding the B1b domain. MITF-CM was expressed in the human mast cell line HMC-1, the human basophilic cell line KU812, and CB-derived mast cells cultured for 10 weeks as well as bone marrow mononuclear cells. Transient transfection of MITF-CM cDNA in COS-7 cells resulted in the expression of a 64-kDa protein, detected by Western blotting, and nuclear localization of the protein, detected by immunostaining. The transient cotransfection of a luciferase construct under the control of the tyrosinase promoter and MITF-CM cDNA increased luciferase activity threefold. In contrast, none of the MITF isoforms transactivated both the tryptase and chymase gene promoters, indicating differences in the gene transactivation system between humans and mice.


Subject(s)
Basophils/metabolism , Mast Cells/metabolism , Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor/biosynthesis , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Base Sequence , COS Cells , Cell Line , Chlorocebus aethiops , Chymases/metabolism , Humans , Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor/genetics , Molecular Sequence Data , Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism , Protein Isoforms/metabolism , Tryptases/metabolism
9.
Clin Exp Allergy ; 37(5): 743-51, 2007 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17456222

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Few adequate murine models exist for metal allergies, it being especially difficult to induce Ni allergy in mice. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on allergies to Ni and other metals in mice. METHODS: Ten days after sensitization with a metal salt and LPS, the ears were challenged with the same metal salt. RESULTS: LPS+NiCl(2) (1 mM) was effective at sensitizing mice to Ni, LPS being effective at very low concentrations whether injected intradermally or intraperitoneally. The ear-swelling response to Ni was more severe and more rapid in C57BL/6 mice than in BALB/c mice. In mast-cell-deficient mice, TNF-alpha-deficient mice, and interestingly even in nude (T cell deficient) mice, NiCl(2)+LPS induced a Ni allergy similar in degree to that in the respective control mice, but it induced Ni allergy only weakly in TLR4-mutant mice, macrophage-depleted mice, and IL-1-deficient mice. The activity of the histamine-forming enzyme histidine decarboxylase (HDC) in the ears increased in parallel with ear swelling, and HDC-deficient mice were resistant to ear swelling. Challenge with NiCl(2)+LPS augmented ear swelling (vs. NiCl(2) alone). LPS induced effective sensitization to other metals (Cr, Co, Pd, or Ag). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in mice, LPS is a very important inducer of metal allergies, and potently promotes them (dependent on both innate immunity and HDC induction in cells other than mast cells). We discussed the idea that the bacterial environment is important for the establishment of metal allergies and for their provocation, and that the current thinking (including the contribution of T cells) should be reappraised in future studies.


Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/etiology , Histidine Decarboxylase/physiology , Lipopolysaccharides/immunology , Metals/immunology , Adjuvants, Immunologic , Animals , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/enzymology , Dermatitis, Allergic Contact/immunology , Disease Models, Animal , Hydrogen Peroxide/immunology , Immunity, Innate , Mast Cells/immunology , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Nickel/immunology , Species Specificity
10.
Biochem Pharmacol ; 73(8): 1157-71, 2007 Apr 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17288995

ABSTRACT

Brain histaminergic neurons play a prominent role in arousal and maintenance of wakefulness (W). H(3)-receptors control the activity of histaminergic neurons through presynaptic autoinhibition. The role of H(3)-receptor antagonists/inverse agonists (H(3)R-antagonists) in the potential therapy of vigilance deficiency and sleep-wake disorders were studied by assessing their effects on the mouse cortical EEG and sleep-wake cycle in comparison to modafinil and classical psychostimulants. The H(3)R-antagonists, thioperamide and ciproxifan increased W and cortical EEG fast rhythms and, like modafinil, but unlike amphetamine and caffeine, their waking effects were not accompanied by sleep rebound. Conversely, imetit (H(3)R-agonist) enhanced slow wave sleep and dose-dependently attenuated ciproxifan-induced W, indicating that the effects of both ligands involve H(3)-receptor mechanisms. Additional studies using knockout (KO) mice confirmed the essential role of H(3)-receptors and histamine-mediated transmission in the wake properties of H(3)R-antagonists. Thus ciproxifan produced no increase in W in either histidine-decarboxylase (HDC, histamine-synthesizing enzyme) or H(1)- or H(3)-receptor KO-mice whereas its waking effects persisted in H(2)-receptor KO-mice. These data validate the hypothesis that H(3)R-antagonists, through disinhibition of H(3)-autoreceptors, enhancing synaptic histamine that in turn activates postsynaptic H(1)-receptors promoting W. Interestingly amphetamine and modafinil, despite their potent arousal effects, appear unlikely to depend on histaminergic mechanism as their effects still occurred in HDC KO-mice. The present study thus distinguishes two classes of wake-improving agents: the first acting through non-histaminergic mechanisms and the second acting via histamine and supports brain H(3)-receptors as potentially novel therapeutic targets for vigilance and sleep-wake disorders.


Subject(s)
Benzhydryl Compounds/pharmacology , Histamine Agonists/pharmacology , Histamine Antagonists/pharmacology , Histamine/metabolism , Receptors, Histamine H3/physiology , Animals , Benzhydryl Compounds/therapeutic use , Brain/drug effects , Brain/physiology , Electroencephalography/drug effects , Histamine Agonists/therapeutic use , Histamine Antagonists/therapeutic use , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Modafinil , Models, Animal , Sleep/drug effects , Sleep/physiology , Sleep Wake Disorders/drug therapy , Wakefulness/drug effects , Wakefulness/physiology
11.
Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg ; 33(3): 325-9, 2007 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17137808

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine whether the plantar flexion test could adequately replace treadmill testing in patients who were unable to exercise. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. PATIENTS: Twenty-seven patients with intermittent claudication secondary to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). METHODS: Patients performed two treadmill tests and two plantar flexion tests. Ankle pressure, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) data, heart rate and blood pressures were monitored along with pain-free and maximum walking distances for treadmill, pain-free and maximum exercise time for plantar flexion. RESULTS: Maximum exercise time and walking distance were well correlated (R=0.74). Eleven patients (41%) developed non-claudicating symptoms during the treadmill test but not during the flexion test. Rate pressure product was significantly higher after the treadmill but not after the plantar flexion. CONCLUSIONS: Plantar flexion test showed good reliability and correlation. Plantar flexion may serve as an alternative to treadmill testing in evaluating muscle pain in patients with intermittent claudication.


Subject(s)
Exercise Test , Foot/physiopathology , Intermittent Claudication/diagnosis , Aged , Ankle/blood supply , Brachial Artery/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Intermittent Claudication/physiopathology , Leg/blood supply , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle, Skeletal/blood supply , Prospective Studies , Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
12.
Exp Dermatol ; 14(3): 169-75, 2005 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15740588

ABSTRACT

A neuronal system dedicated to itch consists of primary afferent and spinothalamic projection neurons. Histamine is thought to be one of the main mediators for the transmission of itch sensation. However, there are little available information on the role of histamine in scratching behaviour and sensory transmission of atopic dermatitis and chronic eczema. In the present study, the role of histamine in scratching behaviour and neural conduction of sensation in the chronic eczema model was investigated by using l-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene knockout mice lacking histamine. The chronic contact dermatitis was induced with daily application of diphenylcyclopropenone (DCP) on a hind paw of HDC (+/+) and HDC (-/-) mice for 2 months. The observation of scratching behaviour and the hot-plate test were performed in both mice. Histological studies were performed in the skin and spinal cord tissues. Histological examination revealed that both HDC (+/+) and HDC (-/-) mice displayed the similar extent of inflammatory cell infiltration, hyperplastic epidermis and newly spreading of neuronal processes in the skin tissue. Scratching behaviour was exclusively induced in HDC (+/+) mice, whereas it was barely observed in HDC (-/-) mice. The expression of c-Fos was specifically upregulated in HDC (+/+) mice in lamina I of the spinal dorsal horn following repeated DCP application. Scratching behaviour in chronic contact dermatitis in mice was thought mainly mediated with histamine. The afferent pathway of sensation in chronic contact dermatitis model may connect with the central nervous system through lamina I of the spinal dorsal horn.


Subject(s)
Behavior, Animal , Dermatitis, Contact/physiopathology , Dermatitis, Contact/psychology , Histamine/metabolism , Histidine Decarboxylase/metabolism , Pruritus , Animals , Cadherins/metabolism , Dermatitis, Contact/metabolism , Dermatitis, Contact/pathology , Histidine Decarboxylase/deficiency , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Neural Conduction , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism , Sensation , Spinal Cord/metabolism , Substance P/metabolism
13.
Eur J Neurosci ; 20(4): 1051-8, 2004 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15305873

ABSTRACT

Histamine has been implicated, inter alia, in mechanisms underlying arousal, exploratory behaviour and emotionality. Here, we investigated behavioural and neurochemical parameters related to these concepts, including open-field activity, rotarod performance and anxiety, as well as brain acetylcholine and 5-HT concentrations of mice deficient for the histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene. These mice are unable to synthesize histamine from its precursor histidine. The HDC-knockout mice showed reduced exploratory activity in an open-field, but normal habituation to a novel environment. They behaved more anxious than the controls, as assessed by the height-fear task and the graded anxiety test, a modified elevated plus-maze. Furthermore, motor coordination on the rotarod was superior to controls. Biochemical assessments revealed that the HDC-knockout mice had higher acetylcholine concentrations and a significantly higher 5-HT turnover in the frontal cortex, but reduced acetylcholine levels in the neostriatum. These results are suggestive of important interactions between neuronal histamine and these site-specific neurotransmitters, which may be related to the behavioural changes found in the HDC-deficient animals.


Subject(s)
Acetylcholine/metabolism , Brain/enzymology , Emotions/physiology , Exploratory Behavior/physiology , Histidine Decarboxylase/deficiency , Histidine Decarboxylase/physiology , Serotonin/metabolism , Animals , Brain/physiology , Histidine Decarboxylase/genetics , Male , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Motor Activity/physiology , Neurons/enzymology
15.
J Endocrinol ; 175(1): 193-9, 2002 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12379503

ABSTRACT

Histamine is synthesized in cells by histidine decarboxylase (HDC). HDC-deficient knockout (KO) mice lack functional HDC and histamine in the tissues. In the present study we used this in vivo model for studying the role of HDC deficiency in the regulation of male steroid hormone metabolism. In agreement with earlier studies showing the lack of effects of central histamine on the basal secretion of gonadotrope hormones, we found no difference with in situ hybridization in the expression of GnRH in the hypothalamus of wild type and KO mice. The tissue concentrations of testosterone and several androgenic steroids were significantly elevated in the testes but not in the adrenal glands of HDC-KO mice. In contrast, serum estradiol levels failed to show a significant difference between the two groups. The weight of the testes was significantly smaller in both 7-day-old and adult KO mice. The ultrastructure of the adult testis indicated elevated steroid synthesis with more tightly coiled membranous whorls in Leydig cells. The present results suggest that changes in reproductive functions and sex steroid secretion in male HDC-KO mice are not due to altered hypothalamic GnRH expression but are probably related to definite modifications during fetal development of KO mice reinforced later by the lack of the effect of peripheral histamine. This may provide in vivo evidence that peripheral histamine is an important regulatory factor of male gonadal development during embryogenesis and of sex steroid metabolism later in adulthood.


Subject(s)
Androgens/biosynthesis , Histamine/metabolism , Histidine Decarboxylase/deficiency , Testis/metabolism , Adrenal Glands/metabolism , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Histidine Decarboxylase/genetics , In Situ Hybridization , Leydig Cells/metabolism , Leydig Cells/ultrastructure , Male , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Microscopy, Electron , Testis/ultrastructure
17.
FEBS Lett ; 502(1-2): 53-6, 2001 Jul 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11478947

ABSTRACT

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) synthesizes histamine from histidine in mammals. To evaluate the role of histamine, we generated HDC-deficient mice using a gene targeting method. The mice showed a histamine deficiency and lacked histamine-synthesizing activity from histidine. These HDC-deficient mice are viable and fertile but exhibit a decrease in the numbers of mast cells while the remaining mast cells show an altered morphology and reduced granular content. The amounts of mast cell granular proteases were tremendously reduced. The HDC-deficient mice provide a unique and promising model for studying the role of histamine in a broad range of normal and disease processes.


Subject(s)
Histidine Decarboxylase/physiology , Mast Cells/cytology , Alleles , Animals , Histamine/biosynthesis , Histamine/metabolism , Histidine Decarboxylase/genetics , Mice , Mice, Knockout
18.
Cell Mol Life Sci ; 58(5-6): 850-4, 2001 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11437244

ABSTRACT

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) synthesizes endogenous histamine from histidine in mammals. HDC-deficient mice (HDC-/-), if kept on a histamine-free diet, have no histamine in their tissues. HDC-/- mice show multiple phenotypes. In this study we show that both the constitutively expressed and turpentine-induced level of an acute-phase protein, haptoglobin, is significantly lower in the serum of HDC-/- mice compared to that of wild-type animals. This effect was abolished if HDC gene-targeted mice received histamine-rich food. No differences were found when lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce the acute-phase reaction. Using specific antibodies to phosphorylated tyrosine, we showed that protein tyrosine phosphorylation (Y-P) of approximately 50- and 26- to 27-kDa liver proteins is significantly decreased in HDC-/- mice, but that the difference was largely diminished if the animals were kept on a histamine-rich diet, suggesting that the phenotype with lower haptoglobin production is diet inducible. Upon in vivo treatment with LPS, Y-P band intensity decreased, regardless of the presence or absence of histamine. Identification of elements of the signalling pathway with decreased phosphorylation may elucidate the molecular background of the effect of endogenous histamine in the hepatic acute-phase reaction.


Subject(s)
Haptoglobins/biosynthesis , Histamine/metabolism , Histidine Decarboxylase/deficiency , Phosphotyrosine/metabolism , Acute-Phase Reaction/chemically induced , Acute-Phase Reaction/metabolism , Animals , Blotting, Western , Gene Deletion , Haptoglobins/analysis , Histamine/administration & dosage , Histidine Decarboxylase/genetics , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Liver/drug effects , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Molecular Weight , Phenotype , Phosphoproteins/analysis , Phosphoproteins/chemistry , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Signal Transduction/drug effects , alpha-Macroglobulins/analysis
19.
Inorg Chem ; 40(13): 3200-7, 2001 Jun 18.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-11399193

ABSTRACT

Dinucleating ligands having two metal-binding sites bridged by an imidazolate moiety, Hbdpi, HMe(2)bdpi, and HMe(4)bdpi (Hbdpi = 4,5-bis(di(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)imidazole, HMe(2)bdpi = 4,5-bis((6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)imidazole, HMe(4)bdpi = 4,5-bis(di(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl)imidazole), have been designed and synthesized as model ligands for copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD). The corresponding mononucleating ligands, MeIm(Py)(2), MeIm(Me)(1), and MeIm(Me)(2) (MeIm(Py)(2) = (1-methyl-4-imidazolylmethyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, MeIm(Me)(1) = (1-methyl-4-imidazolylmethyl)(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, MeIm(Me)(2) = (1-methyl-4-imidazolyl-methyl)bis(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine), have also been synthesized for comparison. The imidazolate-bridged Cu(II)-Cu(II) homodinuclear complexes represented as [Cu(2)(bdpi)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(3).CH(3)CN.3H(2)O (1), [Cu(2)(Me(2)bdpi)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(3) (2), [Cu(2)(Me(4)bdpi)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(3).4H(2)O (3), a Cu(II)-Zn(II) heterodinuclear complex of the type of [CuZn(bdpi)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(3).2CH(3)CN (4), Cu(II) mononuclear complexes of [Cu(MeIm(Py)(2))(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2).CH(3)CN (5), [Cu(MeIm(Me)(1))(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2)( )()(6), and [Cu(MeIm(Me)(2))(CH(3)CN)](ClO(4))(2)( )()(7) have been synthesized and the structures of complexes 5-7 determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 1-7 have a pentacoordinate structure at each metal ion with the imidazolate or 1-methylimidazole nitrogen, two pyridine nitrogens, the tertiary amine nitrogen, and a solvent (CH(3)CN or H(2)O) which can be readily replaced by a substrate. The reactions between complexes 1-7 and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) in the presence of a base at -80 degrees C yield green solutions which exhibit intense bands at 360-380 nm, consistent with the generation of hydroperoxo Cu(II) species in all cases. The resonance Raman spectra of all hydroperoxo intermediates at -80 degrees C exhibit a strong resonance-enhanced Raman band at 834-851 cm(-1), which shifts to 788-803 cm(-1) (Deltanu = 46 cm(-1)) when (18)O-labeled H(2)O(2) was used, which are assigned to the O-O stretching frequency of a hydroperoxo ion. The resonance Raman spectra of hydroperoxo adducts of complexes 2 and 6 show two Raman bands at 848 (802) and 834 (788), 851 (805), and 835 (789) cm(-1) (in the case of H(2)(18)O(2), Deltanu = 46 cm(-1)), respectively. The ESR spectra of all hydroperoxo complexes are quite close to those of the parent Cu(II) complexes except 6. The spectrum of 6 exhibits a mixture signal of trigonal-bipyramid and square-pyramid which is consistent with the results of resonance Raman spectrum.

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