Histidine Decarboxylase Gene Expression Research Articles

Elucidating the potential of chlorogenic acid for controlling Morganella psychrotolerans growth and histamine formation.

To investigate the inhibitory impact of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on the growth of Morganella psychrotolerans and its ability to form histamine. The antimicrobial effect of CGA on M. psychrotolerans was evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method, revealing an MIC value of 10mg ml-1. The alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity, cell membrane potential, and scanning electron microscopy images revealed that CGA treatment disrupted cell structure and cell membrane. Moreover, CGA treatment led to a dose-dependent decrease in crude histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity and gene expression of histidine decarboxylase (hdc). Molecular docking analysis demonstrated that CGA interacted with HDC through hydrogen bonds. Furthermore, in situ investigation confirmed the efficacy of CGA in controlling the growth of M. psychrotolerans and significantly reducing histamine formation in raw tuna. CGA had good activity in controlling the growth of M. psychrotolerans and histamine formation.

Histamine Production Behaviors of a Psychrotolerant Histamine-Producer, Morganella psychrotolerans, in Various Environmental Conditions.

Histamine food poisoning is a major safety concern related to seafood consumption worldwide. Morganella psychrotolerans is a novel psychrotolerant histamine-producer. In this study, the histamine production behaviors of M. psychrotolerans and two other major histamine-producers, mesophilic Morganella morganii and psychrotrophic Photobacterium phosphoreum, were compared in seafood products, and histamine accumulation by M. psychrotolerans was characterized at various pH and temperature levels in culture broth. The growth of M. psychrotolerans and P. phosphoreum increased similarly at 4°C in canned tuna, but M. psychrotolerans produced much higher levels of histamine than P. phosphoreum. Histamine accumulation by M. psychrotolerans was induced at lower environmental pH condition at 4 and 20°C. The optimal temperature and pH for producing histamine by crude histidine decarboxylase of M. psychrotolerans were 30°C and pH 7, respectively. The activity of the crude HDC extracted from M. psychrotolerans cells at 10°C retained 45% of the activity at 30°C. Histidine decarboxylase gene expression of M. psychrotolerans was induced by low pH conditions. These results suggest that M. psychrotolerans are also a very important histamine-producer leading to histamine poisoning associated with seafood below the refrigeration temperature.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonist-induced histidine decarboxylase gene expression in the rat and mouse liver.

By analysis of the data from the Toxicogenomics Database (TG-GATEs), histidine decarboxylase gene (Hdc) was identified as largely and commonly upregulated by three fibrates, clofibrate, fenofibrate, and WY-14,643, which are known to induce hepatocellular hypertrophy and proliferation via stimulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) in rodents. As histamine has been reported to be involved in the proliferation of liver cells, the present study was conducted to focus on Hdc. Among other genes related to histidine and histamine, the expression of the gene of histamine ammonia lyase (Hal) was exclusively mobilized by the three fibrates. The expression of Hdc, which was usually very low in the liver, was increased with the repeated administration of fibrates, and concomitantly, the constitutive expression of Hal was suppressed. An interpretation is that the formation of urocanic acid from histidine under the normal condition switches to the formation of histamine. The mobilization of gene expression of Hdc and Hal by PPARα agonists could not be reproduced in primary cultured hepatocytes. The Hdc mRNA appeared to be translated to a protein which is processed differently from brain but similarly to gastric mucosa. Surprisingly, the fibrates caused hepatic hypertrophy but no induction of Hdc mRNA at all in mice. These results revealed that the changes in the histidine catabolism by PPARα agonists might be partially, but not directly, involved in the hepatocyte proliferation in rats, and there is a large genetic distance even between rat and mouse.

Study of the antitumour effects and the modulation of immune response by histamine in breast cancer

BackgroundThe aim of this work was to improve the knowledge of the role of histamine in breast cancer by assessing the therapeutic efficacy of histamine and histamine H4 receptor (H4R) ligands in a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) model developed in immunocompetent hosts. By using publicly available genomic data, we further investigated whether histidine decarboxylase (HDC) could be a potential biomarker.MethodsTumours of 4T1 TNBC cells were orthotopically established in BALB/c mice. Treatments employed (mg kg−1): histamine (1 and 5), JNJ28610244 (H4R agonist, 1 and 5) and JNJ7777120 (H4R antagonist, 10).ResultsIncreased HDC gene expression is associated with better relapse-free and overall survival in breast cancer patients. Histamine treatment (5 mg kg−1) of 4T1 tumour-bearing mice reduced tumour growth and increased apoptosis. Although no immunomodulatory effects were observed in wild-type mice, significant correlations between tumour weight and cytotoxic lymphocyte infiltration were detected in H4R knockout mice. H4R agonist or antagonist differentially modulated tumour growth and immunity in 4T1 tumour-bearing mice.ConclusionsHistamine plays a complex role and stands out as a promising drug for TNBC treatment, which deserves to be tested in clinical settings. HDC expression level is associated with clinicopathological characteristics, suggesting a prognostic value in breast cancer.

Molecular Regulation of Histamine Synthesis.

Histamine is a critical mediator of IgE/mast cell-mediated anaphylaxis, a neurotransmitter and a regulator of gastric acid secretion. Histamine is a monoamine synthesized from the amino acid histidine through a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme histidine decarboxylase (HDC), which removes carboxyl group from histidine. Despite the importance of histamine, transcriptional regulation of HDC gene expression in mammals is still poorly understood. In this review, we focus on discussing advances in the understanding of molecular regulation of mammalian histamine synthesis.

Antihistamines suppress upregulation of histidine decarboxylase gene expression with potencies different from their binding affinities for histamine H1 receptor in toluene 2,4-diisocyanate-sensitized rats

Antihistamines inhibit histamine signaling by blocking histamine H1 receptor (H1R) or suppressing H1R signaling as inverse agonists. The H1R gene is upregulated in patients with pollinosis, and its expression level is correlated with the severity of nasal symptoms. Here, we show that antihistamine suppressed upregulation of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA expression in patients with pollinosis, and its expression level was correlated with that of H1R mRNA. Certain antihistamines, including mepyramine and diphenhydramine, suppress toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI)-induced upregulation of HDC gene expression and increase HDC activity in TDI-sensitized rats. However, d-chlorpheniramine did not demonstrate any effect. The potencies of antihistamine suppressive effects on HDC mRNA elevation were different from their H1R receptor binding affinities. In TDI-sensitized rats, the potencies of antihistamine inhibitory effects on sneezing in the early phase were related to H1R binding. In contrast, the potencies of their inhibitory effects on sneezing in the late phase were correlated with those of suppressive effects on HDC mRNA elevation. Data suggest that in addition to the antihistaminic and inverse agonistic activities, certain antihistamines possess additional properties unrelated to receptor binding and alleviate nasal symptoms in the late phase by inhibiting synthesis and release of histamine by suppressing HDC gene transcription.

Inhibition of Histamine-Stimulated Gastric Acid Secretion by Hydrogen Sulfide in Male Rats

Recently, hydrogen sulfide (H_2S) introduces as the third gaseous transmitter that has many physiologic and pharmacologic roles in the body. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exogenously given H_2S on histamine-induced gastric acid secretion in rats. Thirtytwo male Wistar rats (150-200 g) were randomly assigned into 4 groups (8 per group). Animals were deprived of food but not water 24 h before the experiment and were randomly assigned into two control groups, distention-, and histamine-stimulated groups, and two NaHS-treated groups. To evaluate the effect of H_2S on histamine-induced gastric acid secretion, one group of animals were received an I.V. bolus of NaHS (a H_2S donor) at 80 μg/kg. To investigate the possible involved mechanism of the antisecretory effect of NaHS, mRNA expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) were evaluated by reverse-transcriptase PCR. The gastric acid output in response to histamine decreased by NaHS treatment (P＜0.01). Also the results showed that the level of gene expression of HDC was higher in NaHS-treated group than in control rats. The findings showed that the inhibitory effect of H_2S on gastric acid secretion was not related to a decrease in histamine release. It seems that up-regulation of HDC mRNA expression is secondary to inhibition of gastric acid secretion by NaHS.

Inhibition of mast cell-derived histamine secretion by cromolyn sodium treatment decreases biliary hyperplasia in cholestatic rodents

Cholangiopathies are characterized by dysregulation of the balance between biliary growth and loss. We have shown that histamine (HA) stimulates biliary growth via autocrine mechanisms. To evaluate the paracrine effects of mast cell (MC) stabilization on biliary proliferation, sham or BDL rats were treated by IP-implanted osmotic pumps filled with saline or cromolyn sodium (24 mg/kg BW/day (inhibits MC histamine release)) for 1 week. Serum, liver blocks and cholangiocytes were collected. Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) expression was measured using real-time PCR in cholangiocytes. Intrahepatic bile duct mass (IBDM) was evaluated by IHC for CK-19. MC number was determined using toluidine blue staining and correlated to IBDM. Proliferation was evaluated by PCNA expression in liver sections and purified cholangiocytes. We assessed apoptosis using real-time PCR and IHC for BAX. Expression of MC stem factor receptor, c-kit, and the proteases chymase and tryptase were measured by real-time PCR. HA levels were measured in serum by EIA. In vitro, MCs and cholangiocytes were treated with 0.1% BSA (basal) or cromolyn (25 μM) for up to 48 h prior to assessing HDC expression, HA levels and chymase and tryptase expression. Supernatants from MCs treated with or without cromolyn were added to cholangiocytes before measuring (i) proliferation by MTT assays, (ii) HDC gene expression by real-time PCR and (iii) HA release by EIA. In vivo, cromolyn treatment decreased BDL-induced: (i) IBDM, MC number, and biliary proliferation; (ii) HDC and MC marker expression; and (iii) HA levels. Cromolyn treatment increased cholangiocyte apoptosis. In vitro, cromolyn decreased HA release and chymase and tryptase expression in MCs but not in cholangiocytes. Cromolyn-treated MC supernatants decreased biliary proliferation and HA release. These studies provide evidence that MC histamine is key to biliary proliferation and may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of cholangiopathies.

Bile acid increases expression of the histamine-producing enzyme, histidine decarboxylase, in gastric cells

To investigate the effect of bile acid on the expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC), which is a major enzyme involved in histamine production, and gene expression of gastric transcription factors upon cooperative activation. HDC expression was examined by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and promoter assay in human gastric precancerous tissues, normal stomach tissue, and gastric cancer cell lines. The relationship between gastric precancerous state and HDC expression induced by bile acid was determined. The association between the expression of HDC and various specific transcription factors in gastric cells was also evaluated. MKN45 and AGS human gastric carcinoma cell lines were transfected with farnesoid X receptor (FXR), small heterodimer partner (SHP), and caudal-type homeodomain transcription factor (CDX)1 expression plasmids. The effects of various transcription factors on HDC expression were monitored by luciferase-reporter promoter assay. Histamine production and secretion in the stomach play critical roles in gastric acid secretion and in the pathogenesis of gastric diseases. Here, we show that bile acid increased the expression of HDC, which is a rate-limiting enzyme of the histamine production pathway. FXR was found to be a primary regulatory transcription factor for bile acid-induced HDC expression. In addition, the transcription factors CDX1 and SHP synergistically enhanced bile acid-induced elevation of HDC gene expression. We confirmed similar expression patterns for HDC, CDX1, and SHP in patient tissues. HDC production in the stomach is associated with bile acid exposure and its related transcriptional regulation network of FXR, SHP, and CDX1.

TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines induces changes in HO-1 and HDC expression in cervical cancer cells

Event Abstract Back to Event TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines induces changes in HO-1 and HDC expression in cervical cancer cells Paulina Gomez-Lomeli1, Pablo C. Ortiz-Lazareno1*, Alejandro Bravo-Cuellar1, Georgina Hernandez-Flores1, Jorge R. Dominguez-Rodriguez1, Luis F. Jave-Suarez1 and Adriana Aguilar-Lemarroy1 1 Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico Background Chronic infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) has been associated as an important factor in generating cancer. E6 and E7 viral proteins are involved in cell transformation. Likewise tumor cells generate escape mechanisms as the expression of molecules that regulate the immune response. HDC and HO-1 exert anti-apoptotic functions. These enzymes may represent another mechanism of resistance in cervical cancer cells. Objectives. We analyzed the gene and protein expression of heme oxygenase (HO-1) and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) enzymes in HPV+ HeLa and SiHa cervical cancer cell lines and HPV- C33A cancer cells treated with TNF-α, I-4 and IL-10 cytokines. Methods HeLa, SiHa and C33A cervical cancer cells were treated with pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines; mRNA was extracted and analyzed expression of HO1 and HDC by real-time PCR. Protein expression was assessed by flow cytometry. Results Cytokines treatment induces a downregulation in HDC gene expression in HPV+ cancer cells in comparison with untreated tumor cells. In HeLa and SiHa cells this gene is downregulated whereas in C33A cancer cells we observed upregulation of HDC gene. In general HDC and HO-1 protein expression was reduced in cancer cells treated with pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions HDC and HO-1 protein expression is modified when the cells were treated with cytokines. In HeLa, SiHa and C33 cancer cells the expression of these enzymes is similar, however at the gene level the behavior is different between cancer cell lines, and this could be due to the presence of HPV infection in some cancer cells. References Moody, C. A. and L. A. Laimins (2010). "Human papillomavirus oncoproteins: pathways to transformation." Nat Rev Cancer 10(8): 550-560. Kareva, I. and P. Hahnfeldt (2013). "The Emerging "Hallmarks" of Metabolic Reprogramming and Immune Evasion: Distinct or Linked?" Cancer Res Gozzelino, R., et al. (2010). "Mechanisms of Cell Protection by Heme Oxygenase-1." Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology 50(1): 323-354. Ichikawa, A., et al. (2010). "Molecular biology of histidine decarboxylase and prostaglandin receptors." Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B 86(8): 848-866. Keywords: Heme-oxynenase 1, Histidine Decarboxylase, Cervical cancer cells, tNF-alpha, Anti-inflammatory cytokines Conference: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI), Milan, Italy, 22 Aug - 27 Aug, 2013. Presentation Type: Abstract Topic: Adaptive Immunity Citation: Gomez-Lomeli P, Ortiz-Lazareno PC, Bravo-Cuellar A, Hernandez-Flores G, Dominguez-Rodriguez JR, Jave-Suarez LF and Aguilar-Lemarroy A (2013). TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines induces changes in HO-1 and HDC expression in cervical cancer cells. Front. Immunol. Conference Abstract: 15th International Congress of Immunology (ICI). doi: 10.3389/conf.fimmu.2013.02.00634 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 11 Jun 2013; Published Online: 22 Aug 2013. * Correspondence: Dr. Pablo C Ortiz-Lazareno, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Mexico, pablolazareno@gmail.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Paulina Gomez-Lomeli Pablo C Ortiz-Lazareno Alejandro Bravo-Cuellar Georgina Hernandez-Flores Jorge R Dominguez-Rodriguez Luis F Jave-Suarez Adriana Aguilar-Lemarroy Google Paulina Gomez-Lomeli Pablo C Ortiz-Lazareno Alejandro Bravo-Cuellar Georgina Hernandez-Flores Jorge R Dominguez-Rodriguez Luis F Jave-Suarez Adriana Aguilar-Lemarroy Google Scholar Paulina Gomez-Lomeli Pablo C Ortiz-Lazareno Alejandro Bravo-Cuellar Georgina Hernandez-Flores Jorge R Dominguez-Rodriguez Luis F Jave-Suarez Adriana Aguilar-Lemarroy PubMed Paulina Gomez-Lomeli Pablo C Ortiz-Lazareno Alejandro Bravo-Cuellar Georgina Hernandez-Flores Jorge R Dominguez-Rodriguez Luis F Jave-Suarez Adriana Aguilar-Lemarroy Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Albizia lebbeck suppresses histamine signaling by the inhibition of histamine H1 receptor and histidine decarboxylase gene transcriptions

Histamine plays major roles in allergic diseases and its action is mediated mainly by histamine H1 receptor (H1R). We have demonstrated that histamine signaling-related H1R and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) genes are allergic diseases sensitive genes and their expression level affects severity of the allergic symptoms. Therefore, compounds that suppress histamine signaling should be promising candidates as anti-allergic drugs. Here, we investigated the effect of the extract from the bark of Albizia lebbeck (AL), one of the ingredients of Ayruvedic medicines, on H1R and HDC gene expression using toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) sensitized allergy model rats and HeLa cells expressing endogenous H1R. Administration of the AL extract significantly decreased the numbers of sneezing and nasal rubbing. Pretreatment with the AL extract suppressed TDI-induced H1R and HDC mRNA elevations as well as [3H]mepyramine binding, HDC activity, and histamine content in the nasal mucosa. AL extract also suppressed TDI-induced up-regulation of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 mRNA. In HeLa cells, AL extract suppressed phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate- or histamine-induced up-regulation of H1R mRNA. Our data suggest that AL alleviated nasal symptoms by inhibiting histamine signaling in TDI-sensitized rats through suppression of H1R and HDC gene transcriptions. Suppression of Th2-cytokine signaling by AL also suggests that it could affect the histamine–cytokine network.

Expression of mast cell–associated genes is upregulated in adult eosinophilic esophagitis and responds to steroid or dietary therapy

Expression of mast cell–associated genes is upregulated in adult eosinophilic esophagitis and responds to steroid or dietary therapy

Suplatast Tosilate Inhibits Histamine Signaling by Direct and Indirect Down-Regulation of Histamine H1 Receptor Gene Expression through Suppression of Histidine Decarboxylase and IL-4 Gene Transcriptions

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disorder typified by symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and rhinorrhea. Histamine plays important roles in eliciting AR symptoms. Up-regulation of the histamine H(1) receptor (H1R) and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNAs was observed in AR patients. Th2 cytokines are also involved in the pathogenesis of AR. We examined the effect of suplatast tosilate on nasal symptoms, and H1R, HDC, and IL-4 gene expression using toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI)-sensitized rats and HeLa cells expressing endogenous H1R. Provocation with TDI increased nasal symptoms, HDC activity, the histamine content of nasal lavage fluid, and the expression of H1R, HDC, and IL-4 mRNAs in TDI-sensitized rats. Pretreatment with suplatast for 2 wk significantly suppressed TDI-induced nasal symptoms and elevation of H1R, HDC, and IL-4 mRNAs. Suplatast also suppressed HDC activity in the nasal mucosa and the histamine content of the nasal lavage fluid. Bilateral injection of IL-4 into the nasal cavity of normal rats up-regulated H1R mRNA, while intranasal application of histamine up-regulated IL-4 mRNA. Suplatast suppressed IL-4-induced up-regulation of H1R mRNA in HeLa cells. However, it did not inhibit histamine-induced H1R mRNA elevation. These results suggest that suplatast alleviates nasal symptoms by inhibiting histamine signaling in TDI-sensitized rats through the suppression of histamine- and IL-4-induced H1R gene expression by the inhibitions of HDC and IL-4 gene transcriptions, respectively.

CNS changes after chronic sleep deprivation: roles in both food intake and metabolism

In humans and animal models, chronic sleep loss stimulates feeding and leads to metabolic interactions associated with signs of the metabolic syndrome and progression to diabetes II. Understanding how sleep deprivation might produce these effects is more complicated and involves dissection of central nervous system pathways that normally regulate food intake and those which control peripheral metabolism. For the former, hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) are key systems governing feeding. Sleep deprivation up‐regulates NPY and down‐regulates POMC in the hypothalamus that accounts for the hyperphagia. For the changes in metabolism, usually hyperphagia is accompanied by a slowing of metabolic rate but the opposite is seen in chronic sleep deprivation. The CNS's role in regulating metabolic rate is less well understood, although histamine may be involved. Central histamine neurons not only affect the maintenance of wakefulness, but are also regulators of peripheral metabolism via actions at the preganglionic sympathetic neurons. The rate‐limiting enzyme for histamine synthesis, histidine decarboxylase, is up‐regulated during sleep deprivation, and these changes predict the attenuation of body weight (prompted by hypermetabolism). The relationship of changes in histamine synthesis to those of glucose suggests that the amine might also be responsible for changes which lead to metabolic syndrome. Elevations in glucose:insulin ratios in sleep deprived rats were positively correlated with the extent of increased histidine decarboxylase gene expression. Together, these data raise the possibility that a dysregulation of histamine function when sleep is impaired might serve to trigger increased sympathetic tone and metabolic changes leading to diabetes.Supported by a Pilot and Feasibility grant from the Clinical Nutrition Research Unit of Maryland, P30DK072488.

Activation-induced cellular accumulation of histamine in immature but not mature murine mast cells.

Mast cell activation involves the rapid release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine, from intracellular granules. The cells are capable of regranulation and multiple rounds of activation. The goal of this study was to determine if there are changes in the content of pre-formed mast cell mediators after a round of activation. After 24 h, the histamine content of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC), but not that of peritoneal mast cells, exceeded the amount in resting cells. Accumulation of histamine in BMMC peaked at 72 h of activation, and returned toward preactivation levels by 96 h. The increase in histamine content was accompanied by an increase in the gene expression of histidine decarboxylase. No increases in beta hexosaminidase or murine mast cell protease-6 were observed. These findings indicate that BMMC respond to activation by increasing total cell-associated histamine content. This increase may be important to the response of these cells upon subsequent exposure to antigens.

Suppression of Histamine Signaling by Probiotic Lac-B: a Possible Mechanism of Its Anti-allergic Effect

It has been shown that probiotic bacteria are effective for the treatment of allergic diseases. As histamine plays a central role in allergic diseases, it is possible that probiotic bacteria affect the allergy-related histamine signaling. Here, we investigated the effect of Lac-B, a mixture of freeze-dried Bifidobacterium infantis and Bifidobacterium longum, on the allergy-related histamine signaling. In the nasal allergy model rats made by sensitization and provocation with toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) for 3 weeks, TDI provocation caused acute allergy–like behaviors along with significant up-regulation of histamine H1 receptor (H1R) and histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA expression, increased HDC activity, histamine content, and [3H]mepyramine binding activity in nasal mucosa. Prolonged treatment with Lac-B (40 mg/rat, p.o.) significantly suppressed both the allergy-like behaviors and all of the above mentioned factors involved in histamine signaling. Our findings indicate that oral administration of Lac-B showed significant anti-allergic effect through suppression of both H1R and HDC gene expression followed by decrease in H1R, HDC protein level, and histamine content. Suppression of histamine signaling may be a novel target of probiotics in preventing allergic diseases.

Gastric Inflammation, Metaplasia, and Tumor Development in Gastrin–Deficient Mice

Gastrin deficiency and proton pump inhibitor treatment cause achlorhydria, which predisposes to disease. To elucidate the underlying molecular biology, we examined the changes in gastric gene expression in both types of achlorhydria. We also explored the associated changes in the gastric microflora and the long-term consequences of gastrin-deficient achlorhydria. Expression profiles were generated from gastric RNA from wild-type mice, gastrin knockout (KO) mice, gastrin KO mice after 1 week of gastrin infusion, and wild-type mice treated for 1 month with a proton pump inhibitor. The results were confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Selective media were used to characterize the gastric microflora. The number of gastric bacteria was increased in both gastrin KO and PPI-treated mice. The expression profiles revealed activation of immune defense genes, interferon-regulated response genes, and intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa. In young gastrin-deficient mice, gastrin infusions reversed the changes. Over time, the changes accumulated, became irreversible, and progressed into metaplasia and polyp development. Finally, the study showed that gastrin regulated the expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins. Independently of gastrin, achlorhydria is associated with gastric bacterial overgrowth and intestinal gene expression patterns and is associated with predisposition to disease. Gastrin is therefore essential for prevention of gastric disease, mainly through control of acid secretion but to a lesser extent also through control of gastric gene expression. The gastrin-deficient mouse serves as a useful new model for gastric metaplasia and neoplasia.

Dexamethasone Suppresses Histamine Synthesis by Repressing both Transcription and Activity of HDC in Allergic Rats

Histamine synthesized by histidine decarboxylase (HDC) from L-histidine is a major chemical mediator in the development of nasal allergy which is characterized by nasal hypersensitivity. However the regulatory mechanism of histamine synthesis by HDC remains to be elucidated. The objectives of the present study were to examine the changes of histamine content, HDC activity and HDC mRNA expression in the nasal mucosa of allergy model rats sensitized by the exposure to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on the above mentioned allergic parameters. Rats were sensitized and provocated by TDI and the nasal allergy-like behaviors were scored during a 10 minute period after provocation. Histamine content and HDC activity in the nasal mucosa were determined using fluorometric high performance liquid chromatography. The expression of HDC mRNA in nasal mucosa was determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In TDI-sensitized rats, nasal allergy-like behaviors such as sneezing and watery rhinorrhea were induced. Histamine content, HDC activity and HDC mRNA expression in nasal mucosa were also significantly increased after TDI provocation. Pretreatment with dexamethasone significantly suppressed nasal allergy-like behaviors, up-regulation of histamine content, HDC activity and HDC mRNA induced by TDI in TDI-sensitized rats. These findings indicate that increased synthesis of histamine through up-regulation of HDC gene expression and HDC activity in nasal mucosa plays an important role in the development of nasal hypersensitivity. Repression of HDC gene expression and HDC activity by dexamethasone may underlie its therapeutic effect in the treatment of allergy.

Yin yang 1 (YY1) represseshistidine decarboxylasegene expression with SREBP-1a in part through an upstream Sp1 site

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) is the enzyme that converts histidine to histamine, a bioamine that plays an important role in many physiological aspects including allergic responses, inflammation, neurotransmission, and gastric acid secretion. In previous studies, we demonstrated that Kruppel-like factor 4 represses HDC promoter activity in a gastric cell line through both an upstream Sp1-binding GC box (GGGCGG sequence) and downstream gastrin-responsive elements. In the current study, Yin Yang 1 (YY1), a pleiotropic transcriptional factor, was also shown in cotransfection assays to repress HDC promoter activity through the upstream GC box. DNA affinity purification assay demonstrated that YY1 was pulled down specifically by the upstream GC box. In addition, sterol-responsive element-binding protein 1a (SREBP-1a), a transcriptional factor that binds YY1, represses the HDC promoter. Interestingly, deletion analysis and cotransfection assays indicated that mutation of the upstream GC box or truncation of downstream gastrin-responsive elements in the HDC promoter disrupted the inhibitory effect of YY1 and SREBP-1a in an identical fashion. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that gastrin treatment downregulated SREBP-1a gene expression and reduced the DNA binding activity of SREBP in EMSAs. Taken together, these results suggest that YY1 and SREBP-1a form a complex to inhibit HDC gene expression through both the upstream GC box and downstream gastrin-responsive elements and gastrin-induced activation of HDC gene expression is mediated at least partly through downregulation of transcriptional repressors such as SREBPs.

Kruppel-like Factor 4 (KLF4) Represses Histidine Decarboxylase Gene Expression through an Upstream Sp1 Site and Downstream Gastrin Responsive Elements

Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of histidine to histamine, a bioamine that plays an important role in allergic responses, inflammation, neurotransmission, and gastric acid secretion. Previously, we demonstrated that gastrin activates HDC promoter activity in a gastric cancer (AGS-E) cell line through three overlapping downstream promoter elements. In the current study, we used the yeast one-hybrid strategy to identify nuclear factors that bind to these three elements. Among eight positives from the one-hybrid screen, we identified Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) (previously known as gut-enriched Kruppel-like factor (GKLF)) as one factor that binds to the gastrin responsive elements in the HDC promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed that KLF4 is able to bind all three gastrin responsive elements. In addition, transient cotransfection experiments showed that overexpression of KLF4 dose dependently and specifically inhibited HDC promoter activity. Regulation of HDC transcription by KLF4 was confirmed by changes in the endogenous HDC messenger RNA by KLF4 small interfering RNA and KLF4 overexpression. We further showed that KLF4 inhibits HDC promoter activity by competing with Sp1 at the upstream GC box and also independently by binding the three downstream gastrin responsive elements. Taken together, these results indicate that KLF4 can act to repress HDC gene expression by Sp1-dependent and -independent mechanisms.