Stimulation of the histamine 4 receptor with 4-methylhistamine modulates the effects of chronic stress on the Th1/Th2 cytokine balance.

• Main Authors: Ahmada, Sheikh Fayaz, Zoheir, Khairy M.A., Ansari, Mushtaq Ahmad, Korashya, Hesham M., Bakheet, Saleh A., Ashour, Abdelkader Elbadawy Abbas, Attiaa,, Sabry M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Elsevier 2015
• Subjects: RM300 Drugs and their action
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/66949/1/Stimulation%20of%20the%20histamine%204%20receptor%20with%204-methylhistamine%20modulates%20the%20effects%20of%20chronic%20stress%20on%20the%20Th1%20Th2%20cytokine%20balance.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/66949/7/66949_Scopus%20-%20Document%20details.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/66949/; https://www.elsevier.com/journals/personal/immunobiology/0171-2985

Alterations to the immune system caused by stress have been considered to markedly increase the risk for immune-related diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. We investigated the potential anti-stress effects of the histamine 4 receptor (H4R) agonist, 4-methylhistamine (4-MeH), in a murine stress model. Mice were placed in 50ml conical centrifuge tubes for 12h followed by a 12h rest. The effects of treatment with 4-MeH (30mg/kg, i.p., twice daily) for 2 days were assessed. At 2 days after physical restraint, mice were sacrificed and tissues harvested. We evaluated the effects of 4-MeH treatment on CD4(+) T cell production, and intracellular IFN-γ and IL-4 expression in these cells. We also assessed IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-4 mRNA expression as well as IFN-γ, TNF-α, GITR, Ox40 and IL-4 protein expression in the spleen. The results showed that 4-MeH treatment of stressed mice results in a substantial increase in the CD4(+) T cells as well as in IFN-γ production by these cells. Compared to both untreated and stressed controls. In contrast, IL-4 expression decreased significantly following 4-MeH treatment of mice. Moreover, stimulation of the H4R resulted in up-regulated expression of IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α mRNAs and decreased the expression of IL-4. Western blot analysis confirmed decreased protein expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, GITR, Ox40 and increased IL-4 in the SC group and treatment of mice with 4-MeH reversed these effects. Our results confirm the significant impact of chronic stress on T cell function and production of Th1/Th2 mediators H4R.