| Abstract: | Objective:Histamine stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF) secretion from cultured astrocytes. Histamine H1-receptor antagonists completely block its effect. In the present study, we determined the involvement of histamine-receptor subtypes in this process.Materials and methods:Radioligand-binding assay was used to establish the presence of histamine H1- and H2-receptors on new-born rat cortical astrocytes in primary culture. Histamine H1-, H2- and H3/H4-receptor ligands, and highly selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor were used to influence NGF secretion from cultured astrocytes. NGF, released into the culture medium, was measured by NGF-ELISA.Results:Histamine H1-receptor agonists (histamine, selected histaprodifens) increased the secretion of NGF from cultured astrocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. H1-receptor antagonists/inverse agonists (mepyramine, triprolidine) and PKC inhibitor completely blocked the effect of histamine. Histamine H2- and H3-receptor agonists did not enhance NGF secretion significantly. In addition, H2- and H3/H4-receptor antagonists did not diminish histamine-stimulated NGF release.Conclusions:Our results indicate that histamine H1-receptor and PKC are involved in the signal transduction pathway, responsible for histamine-stimulated NGF secretion from cultured astrocytes.Received 25 July 2003; returned for revision 4 November 2003; accepted by A. Falus 23 December 2003 |
