Effect of histamine on the gene expression and secretion of complement components C2, factor B and C3 in murine macrophages—an opposite signal processing via H1 and H2 receptors

Abstract

The effect of histamine on the gene expression, biosynthesis and secretion of C2, factor B and C3 was studied in mouse resident and starch elicited peritoneal macrophages. Measuring the quantity of specific mRNAs and biosynthetically labelled proteins a down-regulation of the biosynthesis of C2, factor B and C3 via H2 receptor was found. On the contrary, histamine displayed no visible H1 receptor mediated influence on the biosynthesis of C2 and factor B. However, via H1 receptor a considerably up-regulation of C3 gene expression and biosynthesis was demonstrated. The data suggest a distinct signal processing mechanism acting on H1 and H2 receptors resulting in opposite effects on the transcriptions of C3 gene in macrophages.