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Histamine is an intracellular messenger mediating platelet aggregation
S P Saxena1, L J Brandes, A B Becker
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 24, 1989
Summary
Histamine plays a key role in platelet function. This study shows histamine acts as an intracellular messenger, promoting platelet aggregation, a crucial process in blood clotting.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
Background:
- Histamine's role in cellular function beyond its known receptor-mediated actions was investigated.
- Platelet aggregation is a critical process in hemostasis and thrombosis.
- The potential involvement of histamine in platelet activation was explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of histamine in human platelet aggregation.
- To determine if histamine acts as an intracellular messenger in platelets.
- To investigate the mechanism by which histamine influences platelet function.
Main Methods:
- Human platelet aggregation was measured using N,N-diethyl-2-[4-(phenylmethyl)phenoxy]ethanamine-HCl (DPPE), a histamine binding antagonist.
- Platelet histamine content was measured following stimulation with Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or collagen.
- Inhibitors of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and histamine were used to assess their effects on aggregation.
Main Results:
- DPPE inhibited platelet aggregation, suggesting a role for histamine.
- PMA and collagen increased platelet histamine content and promoted aggregation.
- HDC inhibitors suppressed both aggregation and histamine elevation; added histamine reversed these inhibitions.
Conclusions:
- Histamine functions as an intracellular messenger in human platelets.
- Histamine promotes platelet aggregation, contributing to its role in cell function.
- These findings reveal a novel intracellular signaling pathway involving histamine in platelets.