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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Evaluation of Mammary Gland Development and Function in Mouse Models
Published on: July 21, 2011
Mouse mammary epithelial histamine system
W Wagner1, A Ichikawa, S Tanaka
1Institute of Biogenic Amines, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodz, Poland. waldemaw@amina1.zabpan.lodz.pl
Insights
Mammary epithelial cells synthesize histamine, crucial for mammary gland growth and function during pregnancy and lactation. These cells express histamine receptors, supporting its physiological role.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Histamine is implicated in mammary gland development and function.
- Two histamine pools exist: mast cell- and epithelial cell-derived.
- This study investigates the role of histamine in mammary epithelial cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore histamine synthesis and receptor presence in mammary epithelial cells.
- To understand histamine's role in mammary gland physiology.
- To investigate histamine's regulation during pregnancy and lactation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry to detect histamine and L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC).
- Culture of primary mouse mammary epithelial cells (MMEC).
- Histamine receptor binding studies on mammary tissue and epithelial cell membranes.
Main Results:
- Epithelial cells in mammary alveolar structures express histamine and HDC.
- MMEC show strong HDC immunoreactivity, particularly in dividing cells.
- HDC expression changes during pregnancy (increase) and lactation (decrease).
- H1 and H3 histamine receptors are present, but H2 receptors are not.
Conclusions:
- Mammary epithelial cells synthesize and excrete histamine.
- These cells possess histamine receptors (H1 and H3).
- Findings support histamine's significant role in mammary gland physiology.
Abstract:
Histamine is suggested to play a role in mammary gland growth regulation, differentiation and functioning during pregnancy and lactation. Two pools of histamine are thought to be involved in these processes: mastocyte- and epithelial cell related histamine. In the present study we focused on epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry has shown that the epithelial cells positive for histamine and L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC), the primary enzyme regulating histamine biosynthesis, were mainly found in cells forming alveolar structures in the mammary gland. Cultured primary mouse mammary epithelial cells (MMEC) expressed strong HDC immunoreactivity, especially dividing cells and non-differentiated ones. Histidine decarboxylase activity undergoes significant changes during pregnancy and lactation. Pregnancy associated intensive growth of the mammary gland coincided with an increase and the first days of lactation with a decrease of HDC protein expression. Binding studies with mammary tissue membranes and epithelial cell membranes revealed the presence of H1 and H3 but not H2 receptors. Summarizing, our data have shown that mammary epithelial cells are capable of synthesizing and excreting histamine and they bear histamine receptors. These findings further substantiate the role of histamine in mammary gland physiology.
