Author/Editor     Jurič, Damijana M; Mele, Tina; Čarman-Kržan, Marija
Title     Involvement of histaminergic receptor mechanisms in the stimulation of NT-3 synthesis in astrocytes
Type     članek
Source     Neuropharmacology
Vol. and No.     Letnik 60, št. 7-8
Publication year     2011
Volume     str. 1309-17
Language     eng
Abstract     Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is produced by astrocytes, in addition to neurons, and monoamine neurotransmitters play a role in controlling NT-3 synthesis. The impact of histamine (HA) on the regulation of NT-3 synthesis in cultured astrocytes has not been studied. We evaluated the involvement of histamine receptors and intracellular mechanisms in the regulation of NT-3 production by HA. Real-time PCR was performed to examine the expression of all known histamine receptor subtypes in cultured rat cortical astrocytes. Pharmacological tools, selective for the H(1), H(2) and H(3) receptors and intracellular systems, were utilized to confirm functional properties of HA receptors in histaminergic up-regulation of astrocytic NT-3 synthesis. HA potently and transiently elevated NT-3 expression and protein levels by more than twofold. In addition to H(1) and H(2) receptors, cultured astrocytes also express H(3) receptors, which activate G(i/o) proteins to inhibit adenylyl cyclase and modulate MAP kinase activity. Histaminergic stimulation was partly inhibited by selective H(1), H(2), and H(3) antagonists whereas selective H(1), H(2), and H(3) agonists or mediators of the intracellular histaminergic pathways increased NT-3 levels. Inhibitors of PKA, PKC, and CaMK II significantly reduced the HA-induced increase in NT-3 cellular levels whereas the MAP kinase cascade inhibitor completely blocked the stimulatory action of HA and all selective agonists. In conclusion, the synthesis of astrocytic NT-3 stimulated by HA is a receptor-mediated process, which is fine-tuned via subtle modulation of parallel histaminergic H(1), H(2), and H(3) pathways that converge at the level of MAP kinase activity.
Descriptors     ASTROCYTES
HISTAMINE
NERVE GROWTH FACTORS
RECEPTORS, HISTAMINE H3
CYCLIC AMP
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
RNA, MESSENGER
RECEPTORS, HISTAMINE H1
RECEPTORS, HISTAMINE H2
CELLS, CULTURED
RATS, WISTAR