Effect of subchronic exposure to ambient fine and ultrafine particles on rat motor activity and ex vivo striatal dopaminergic transmission.

Alterations in dopaminergic transmission are associated with neurological disorders, such as depression, autism, and Parkinson's disease. Exposure of rats to ambient fine (FP) or ultrafine (UFP) particles induces oxidative and inflammatory responses in the striatum, a neuronal nucleus with dense dopaminergic innervation and critically involved in the control of motor activity.Objectives: We used an ex vivo system to evaluate the effect of in vivo inhalation exposure to FP and UFP on motor activity and dopaminergic transmission.Materials and Methods: Male adult Wistar rats were exposed to FP, UFP, or filtered air for 8 weeks (subchronic exposure; 5 h/day, 5 days/week) in a particle concentrator. Motor activity was evaluated using the open-field test. Uptake and release of [3H]-dopamine were assessed in striatal synaptosomes, and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) affinity for dopamine was evaluated by the displacement of [3H]-spiperone binding to striatal membranes.Results: Exposure to FP or UFP significantly reduced spontaneous motor activity (ambulatory distance: FP -25%, UFP -32%; ambulatory time: FP -24%, UFP -22%; ambulatory episodes: FP -22%, UFP -30%), decreased [3H]-dopamine uptake (FP -18%, UFP -24%), and increased, although not significantly, [3H]-dopamine release (113.3 ± 16.3 and 138.6 ± 17.3%). Neither FP nor UFP exposure affected D2R density or affinity for dopamine.Conclusions: These results indicate that exposure to ambient particulate matter reduces locomotion in rats, which could be related to altered striatal dopaminergic transmission: UFP was more potent than FP. Our results contribute to the evidence linking environmental factors to changes in brain function that could turn into neurological and psychiatric disorders.HIGHLIGHTSYoung adult rats were exposed to fine (FP) or ultrafine (UFP) particles for 40 days.Exposure to FP or UFP reduced motor activity.Exposure to FP or UFP reduced dopamine uptake by striatal synaptosomes.Neither D2R density or affinity for dopamine was affected by FP or UFP.UFP was more potent than FP to exert the effects reported.

In vitro exposure to ambient fine and ultrafine particles alters dopamine uptake and release, and D2 receptor affinity and signaling.

The exposure to environmental pollutants, such as fine and ultrafine particles (FP and UFP), has been associated with increased risk for Parkinson's disease, depression and schizophrenia, disorders related to altered dopaminergic transmission. The striatum, a neuronal nucleus with extensive dopaminergic afferents, is a target site for particle toxicity, which results in oxidative stress, inflammation, astrocyte activation and modifications in dopamine content and D2 receptor (D2R) density. In this study we assessed the in vitro effect of the exposure to FP and UFP on dopaminergic transmission, by evaluating [3H]-dopamine uptake and release by rat striatal isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes), as well as modifications in the affinity and signaling of native and cloned D2Rs. FP and UFP collected from the air of Mexico City inhibited [3H]-dopamine uptake and increased depolarization-evoked [3H]-dopamine release in striatal synaptosomes. FP and UFP also enhanced D2R affinity for dopamine in membranes from either rat striatum or CHO-K1 cells transfected with the long isoform of the human D2R (hD2LR)2LR). In CHO-K1-hD2L In CHO-K1-hD2LR cells or striatal slices, FP and UFP increased the potency of dopamine or the D2R agonist quinpirole, respectively, to inhibit forskolin-induced cAMP formation. The effects were concentration-dependent, with UFP being more potent than FP. These results indicate that FP and UFP directly affect dopaminergic transmission.

Histamine H3 receptor activation reduces the impairment in prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response and Akt phosphorylation induced by MK-801 (dizocilpine), antagonist at N-Methyl-d-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors.

We have investigated the effect of the local activation of histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) in the rat prefrontal cortex (PFCx) on the impairment of pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response induced by the systemic administration of MK-801, antagonist at glutamate N-Methyl-d-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and the possible functional interaction between H3Rs and MK-801 on PFCx dopaminergic transmission. Infusion of the H3R agonist RAMH (19.8 ng/1 µl) into the PFCx reduced or prevented the inhibition by MK-801 (0.15 mg/kg, ip) of PPI evoked by different auditory stimulus intensities (5, 10 and 15 dB), and the RAMH effect was blocked by the H3R antagonist/inverse agonist ciproxifan (30.6 ng/1 µl). MK-801 inhibited [3H]-dopamine uptake (-45.4 ±â€¯2.1%) and release (-32.8 ±â€¯2.6%) in PFCx synaptosomes or slices, respectively, and molecular modeling indicated that MK-801 binds to and blocks the rat and human dopamine transporters. However, H3R activation had no effect on the inhibitory action of MK-801 on dopamine uptake and release. In PFCx slices, MK-801 and the activation of H3Rs or dopamine D1 receptors (D1Rs) stimulated ERK-1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. The co-activation of D1Rs and H3Rs prevented ERK-1/2 and Akt phosphorylation, and H3R activation or D1R blockade prevented the effect of MK-801. In ex vivo experiments, the intracortical infusion of the D1R agonist SKF-81297 (37 ng/1 µl) or the H3R agonist RAMH increased Akt phosphorylation, prevented by D1R/H3R co-activation. These results indicate that MK-801 enhances dopaminergic transmission in the PFCx, and that H3R activation counteracts the post-synaptic actions of dopamine.

Adenosine A2A and histamine H3 receptors interact at the cAMP/PKA pathway to modulate depolarization-evoked [3H]-GABA release from rat striato-pallidal terminals.

We previously reported that the activation of histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) selectively counteracts the facilitatory action of adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) on GABA release from rat globus pallidus (GP) isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes). In this work, we examined the mechanisms likely to underlie this functional interaction. Three possibilities were explored: (a) changes in receptor affinity for agonists induced by physical A2AR/H3R interaction, (b) opposite actions of A2ARs and H3Rs on depolarization-induced Ca2+ entry, and (c) an A2AR/H3R interaction at the level of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) formation. In GP synaptosomal membranes, H3R activation with immepip reduced A2AR affinity for the agonist 2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine hydrochloride hydrate (CGS-21680) (Ki control 4.53 nM; + immepip 9.32 nM), whereas A2AR activation increased H3R affinity for immepip (Ki control 0.63 nM; + CGS-21680 0.26 nM). Neither A2AR activation nor H3R stimulation modified calcium entry through voltage-gated calcium channels in GP synaptosomes, as evaluated by microfluorometry. A2AR-mediated facilitation of depolarization-evoked [2,3-3H]-γ-aminobutyric acid ([3H]-GABA) release from GP synaptosomes (130.4 ± 3.6% of control values) was prevented by the PKA inhibitor H-89 and mimicked by the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin or by 8-Bromo-cAMP, a membrane permeant cAMP analogue (169.5 ± 17.3 and 149.5 ± 14.5% of controls). H3R activation failed to reduce the facilitation of [3H]-GABA release induced by 8-Bromo-cAMP. In GP slices, A2AR activation stimulated cAMP accumulation (290% of basal) and this effect was reduced (- 75%) by H3R activation. These results indicate that in striato-pallidal nerve terminals, A2ARs and H3Rs interact at the level of cAMP formation to modulate PKA activity and thus GABA release.

Differential expression and signaling of the human histamine H3 receptor isoforms of 445 and 365 amino acids expressed in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.

In stably-transfected human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, we have compared the effect of activating two isoforms of 445 and 365 amino acids of the human histamine H3 receptor (hH3R445 and hH3R365) on [35S]-GTPγS binding, forskolin-induced cAMP formation, depolarization-induced increase in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ ions ([Ca2+]i) and depolarization-evoked [3 H]-dopamine release. Maximal specific binding (Bmax) of [3 H]-N-methyl-histamine to cell membranes was 953 ± 204 and 555 ± 140 fmol/mg protein for SH-SY5Y-hH3R445 and SH-SY5Y-hH3R365 cells, respectively, with similar dissociation constants (Kd, 0.86 nM and 0.81 nM). The mRNA of the hH3R365 isoform was 40.9 ± 7.9% of the hH3R445 isoform. No differences in receptor affinity were found for the H3R ligands histamine, immepip, (R)(-)-α-methylhistamine (RAMH), A-331440, clobenpropit and ciproxifan. Both the stimulation of [35S]-GTPγS binding and the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation by the agonist RAMH were significantly larger in SH-SY5Y-hH3R445 cells ([35S]-GTPγS binding, 158.1 ± 7.5% versus 136.5 ± 3.6% for SH-SY5Y-hH3R365 cells; cAMP accumulation, -74.0 ± 4.9% versus -43.5 ± 5.3%), with no significant effect on agonist potency. In contrast, there were no differences in the efficacy and potency of RAMH to inhibit [3 H]-dopamine release evoked by 100 mM K+ (-18.9 ± 3.0% and -20.5 ± 3.3%, for SH-SY5Y-hH3R445 and SH-SY5Y-hH3R365 cells), or the inhibition of depolarization-induced increase in [Ca2+]i (S2/S1 ratios: parental cells 0.967 ± 0.069, SH-SY5Y-hH3R445 cells 0.639 ± 0.049, SH-SY5Y-hH3R365 cells 0.737 ± 0.045). These results indicate that in SH-SY5Y cells, hH3R445 and hH3R365 isoforms regulate in a differential manner the signaling pathways triggered by receptor activation.

Differential homologous desensitization of the human histamine H3 receptors of 445 and 365 amino acids expressed in CHO-K1 cells.

Histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) signal through Gαi/o proteins and are found in neuronal cells as auto- and hetero-receptors. Alternative splicing of the human H3R (hH3R) originates 20 isoforms, and the mRNAs of two receptors of 445 and 365 amino acids (hH3R445 and hH3R365) are widely expressed in the human brain. We previously showed that the hH3R445 stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells experiences homologous desensitization. The hH3R365 lacks 80 residues in the third intracellular loop, and in this work we therefore studied whether this isoform also experiences homologous desensitization and the possible differences with the hH3R445. In clones of CHO-K1 cells stably expressing similar receptor levels (211 ± 12 and 199 ± 16 fmol/mg protein for hH3R445 and hH3R365, respectively), there were no differences in receptor affinity for selective H3R ligands or for agonist-induced [35S]-GTPγS binding to membranes and inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in intact cells. For both cell clones, pre-incubation with the H3R agonist RAMH (1 µM) resulted in functional receptor desensitization, as indicated by cAMP accumulation assays, and loss of receptors from the cell surface and reduced affinity for the agonist immepip in cell membranes, evaluated by radioligand binding. However, functional desensitization differed in the maximal extent (96 ± 15% and 58 ± 8% for hH3R445 and hH3R365, respectively) and the length of pre-exposure required to reach the maximum desensitization (60 and 30 min, respectively). Furthermore, the isoforms differed in their recovery from desensitization. These results indicate that the hH3R365 experiences homologous desensitization, but that the process differs between the isoforms in time-course, magnitude and re-sensitization.

The naturally occurring mutation Y197C does not affect the expression or signaling of the human histamine H3 receptor.

There is evidence for genetic polymorphism within the human histamine H3 receptor (hH3R), and a Tyr to Cys exchange at position 197 (Y197C), located in the amino terminus of the fifth transmembrane domain, has been reported. In this work we compared the expression and the pharmacological and signaling properties of wild-type (hH3RWT) and mutant (hH3RY197C) receptors transiently expressed in CHO-K1 cells. The hH3RY197C cDNA was created by overlap extension PCR amplification. Receptor expression and affinity were assessed by N-α-[methyl-3H]-histamine binding to cell membranes and intact cells. Receptor function was evaluated by stimulation of [35S]-GTPγS binding to cell membranes and by inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in intact cells. The hH3RWT and hH3RY197C were expressed at similar levels (761±68 and 663±66fmol/mg protein for membranes, and 13,434±1533 and 15,894±1884 receptors per cell, respectively). There were no significant differences in the affinities for H3R agonists or antagonists/inverse agonists between the hH3RWT and hH3RY197C, and the H3R agonist RAMH was similarly efficacious and potent to stimulate [35S]-GTPγS binding and to inhibit forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. These results indicate that the Y197C mutation does not affect the expression, ligand affinity or signaling of the human H3 receptor.

Heterologous, PKC-Mediated Desensitization of Human Histamine H3 Receptors Expressed in CHO-K1 Cells.

Desensitization is a major mechanism to regulate the functional response of G protein-coupled receptors. In this work we studied whether the human histamine H3 receptor of 445 amino acids (hH3R445) experiences heterologous desensitization mediated by PKC activation. Bioinformatic analysis indicated the presence of Serine and Threonine residues susceptible of PKC-mediated phosphorylation on the third intracellular loop and the carboxyl terminus of the hH3R445. In CHO-K1 cells stably transfected with the hH3R445 direct PKC activation by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA, 200 nM) abolished H3R-mediated inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation. Activation of endogenous purinergic receptors by ATP (adenosine 5'-triphosphate, 10 µM) increased the free calcium intracellular concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) confirming their coupling to phospholipase C stimulation. Incubation with ATP also abolished H3R-mediated inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation, and this effect was prevented by the PKC inhibitors Ro-31-8220 and Gö-6976. Pre-incubation with TPA or ATP reduced H3R-mediated stimulation of [(35)S]-GTPγS binding to membranes from CHO-K1-hH3R445 cells by 39.7 and 54.2 %, respectively, with no change in the agonist potency, and the effect was prevented by either Ro-31-8220 or Gö-6976. Exposure to ATP or TPA also resulted in the loss of cell surface H3Rs (-30.4 and -45.1 %) as evaluated by [(3)H]-NMHA binding to intact cells. These results indicate that the hH3R445 undergoes heterologous desensitization upon activation of receptors coupled to PKC stimulation.

Histamine H3 receptor activation inhibits dopamine synthesis but not release or uptake in rat nucleus accumbens.

We studied the effect of activating histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) on rat nucleus accumbens (rNAcc) dopaminergic transmission by analyzing [(3)H]-dopamine uptake by synaptosomes, and dopamine synthesis and depolarization-evoked [(3)H]-dopamine release in slices. The uptake of [(3)H]-dopamine by rNAcc synaptosomes was not affected by the H3R agonist RAMH (10(-10)-10(-6) M). In rNAcc slices perfusion with RAMH (1 µM) had no significant effect on [(3)H]-dopamine release evoked by depolarization with 30 mM K(+) (91.4 ± 4.5% of controls). The blockade of dopamine D2 autoreceptors with sulpiride (1 µM) enhanced K(+)-evoked [(3)H]-dopamine release (168.8 ± 15.5% of controls), but under this condition RAMH (1 µM) also failed to affect [(3)H]-dopamine release. Dopamine synthesis was evaluated in rNAcc slices incubated with the l-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) decarboxylase inhibitor NSD-1015 (1 mM). Forskolin-induced DOPA accumulation (220.1 ± 10.4% of controls) was significantly reduced by RAMH (41.1 ± 6.5% and 43.5 ± 9.1% inhibition at 100 nM and 1 µM, respectively), and this effect was prevented by the H3R antagonist ciproxifan (10 µM). DOPA accumulation induced by preventing cAMP degradation with IBMX (iso-butyl-methylxantine, 1 mM) or by activating receptors for the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)/pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) with PACAP-27 (1 µM) was reduced (IBMX) or prevented (PACAP-27) by RAMH (100 nM). In contrast, DOPA accumulation induced by 8-Bromo-cAMP (1 mM) was not affected by RAMH (100 nM). These results indicate that in rNAcc H3Rs do not modulate dopamine uptake or release, but regulate dopamine synthesis by inhibiting cAMP formation and thus PKA activation. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Histamine Receptors'.

Histamine H3 receptor activation counteracts adenosine A2A receptor-mediated enhancement of depolarization-evoked [3H]-GABA release from rat globus pallidus synaptosomes.

High levels of histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) are found in the globus pallidus (GP), a neuronal nucleus in the basal ganglia involved in the control of motor behavior. By using rat GP isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes), we studied whether H3R activation modified the previously reported enhancing action of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) stimulation on depolarization-evoked [(3)H]-GABA release. At 3 and 10 nM, the A2AR agonist CGS-21680 enhanced [(3)H]-GABA release induced by high K(+) (20 mM) and the effect of 3 nM CGS-21680 was prevented by the A2AR antagonist ZM-241385 (100 nM). The presence of presynaptic H3Rs was confirmed by the specific binding of N-α-[methyl-(3)H]-histamine to membranes from GP synaptosomes (maximum binding, Bmax, 1327 ± 79 fmol/mg protein; dissociation constant, Kd, 0.74 nM), which was inhibited by the H3R ligands immepip, clobenpropit, and A-331440 (inhibition constants, Ki, 0.28, 8.53, and 316 nM, respectively). Perfusion of synaptosomes with the H3R agonist immepip (100 nM) had no effect on K(+)-evoked [(3)H]-GABA release, but inhibited the stimulatory action of A2AR activation. In turn, the effect of immepip was blocked by the H3R antagonist clobenpropit, which had no significant effect of its own on K(+)-induced [(3)H]-GABA release. These data indicate that H3R activation selectively counteracts the facilitatory action of A2AR stimulation on GABA release from striato-pallidal projections.

Homologous desensitization of human histamine H3 receptors expressed in CHO-K1 cells.

Histamine H3 receptors (H3Rs) modulate the function of the nervous system at the pre- and post-synaptic levels. In this work we aimed to determine whether, as other G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), H3Rs desensitize in response to agonist exposure. By using CHO-K1 cells stably transfected with the human H3R (hH3R) we show that functional responses (inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in intact cells and stimulation of [(35)S]-GTPγS binding to cell membranes) were markedly reduced after agonist exposure. For cAMP accumulation assays the effect was significant at 60 min with a maximum at 90 min. Agonist exposure resulted in decreased binding sites for the radioligand [(3)H]-N-methyl-histamine ([(3)H]-NMHA) to intact cells and modified the sub-cellular distribution of H3Rs, as detected by sucrose density gradients and [(3)H]-NMHA binding to cell membranes, suggesting receptor internalization. The reduction in the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated cAMP formation observed after agonist pre-incubation was prevented by incubation in hypertonic medium or in ice-cold medium. Agonist-induced loss in binding sites was also prevented by hypertonic medium or incubation at 4 °C, but not by filipin III, indicating clathrin-dependent endocytosis. Immunodetection showed that CHO-K1 cells express GPCR kinases (GRKs) 2/3, and both the GRK general inhibitor ZnCl2 and a small interfering RNA against GRK-2 reduced receptor desensitization. Taken together these results indicate that hH3Rs experience homologous desensitization upon prolonged exposure to agonists, and that this process involves the action of GRK-2 and internalization via clathrin-coated vesicles.

A single-point mutation (Ala280Val) in the third intracellular loop alters the signalling properties of the human histamine H3 receptor stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An alanine to valine exchange at amino acid position 280 (A280V) in the third intracellular loop of the human histamine H3 receptor was first identified in a patient suffering from Shy-Drager syndrome and later reported as a risk factor for migraine. Here, we have compared the pharmacological and signalling properties of wild-type (hH3 R(WT)) and A280V mutant (hH3 R(A280V)) receptors stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The hH3 R(A280V) cDNA was created by overlapping extension PCR amplification. Receptor expression and affinity were assessed by radioligand (N-α-[methyl-³H]-histamine) binding to cell membranes, and receptor function by the inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation and stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in intact cells, as well as stimulation of [³5S]-GTPγS binding to cell membranes. KEY RESULTS: Both receptors were expressed at similar levels with no significant differences in their affinities for H3 receptor ligands. Upon activation the hH3 RWT was significantly more efficacious to inhibit forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation and to stimulate [³5S]-GTPγS binding, with no difference in pEC50 estimates. The hH3 RWT was also more efficacious to stimulate ERK1/2 phosphorylation, but this difference was not significant. The inverse agonist ciproxifan was more efficacious at hH3 RWT to reduce [³5S]-GTPγS binding but, for both receptors, failed to enhance forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The A280V mutation reduces the signalling efficacy of the human H3 receptor. This effect may be relevant to the pathophysiology of disorders associated with the mutation.

Histamine H3 receptors modulate depolarization-evoked [³H]-noradrenaline release from rat olfactory bulb slices.

We have studied the effect of histamine H(3) receptor (H(3)R) activation on the depolarization-evoked release of labeled neurotransmitters from slices of the rat olfactory bulb (rOB). The presence of pre-synaptic H(3)Rs was evidenced by the specific binding of the H(3)R ligand N-α-[methyl-(3)H]histamine to membranes from rOB synaptosomes (maximum binding, B(max), 106 ± 19 fmol/mg protein; dissociation constant, K(d), 0.68 ± 0.11 nM) which was inhibited by selective H(3)R ligands (immepip, (R)(-)-α-methylhistamine (RAMH) and clobenpropit) with affinities similar to those previously reported for H(3)Rs expressed in other rat brain areas. Perfusion of rOB slices with the selective H(3)R agonist RAMH (0.1 and 1 µM) had no effect on the release of [(3)H]-γ-aminobutyric acid ([(3)H]-GABA), [(3)H]-d-aspartate, [(3)H]-dopamine or [(3)H]-5-hydroxytryptamine ([(3)H]-5-HT) evoked by depolarization with high K(+) (20 or 40 mM). [(3)H]-Noradrenaline release induced by 20 mM K(+) was reduced in a modest but significant manner by RAMH (94.9 ± 1.7% and 83.1 ± 2.1% of control release at 0.1 and 1 µM, respectively). The effect of 1 µM RAMH was blocked by the selective H(3)R antagonist/inverse agonist clobenpropit (5 µM). When tested alone clobenpropit and a second H(3)R antagonist/inverse agonist, ciproxifan (both at 1 µM) significantly increased K(+)-evoked [(3)H]-noradrenaline release to 119.4 ± 4.2% and 120.0 ± 3.7% of K(+) alone, respectively. Ciproxifan (1 µM) had no effect on the depolarization-evoked release of the other labeled neurotransmitters. These data indicate that H(3)Rs with constitutive activity modulate noradrenaline release in rOB, presumably through a pre-synaptic action. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder'.