Biased agonism at histamine H1 receptors

Abstract

GPCRs (G-protein coupled receptors) exist as conformational collectionsin which different conformations lead to differential downstream behaviors suchas G-protein activation, receptor phosphorylation or internalization. In thiscontext, a ligand may cause differential activation of some, but not all, ofthe signaling events associated to a particular receptor and would lead tobiased agonism. On the other hand, antihistamines used clinically asantiallergics rank among the most widely prescribed and over-the-counter drugsin the world. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether widelyused histamine H1 receptor (H1R) ligands that exert therapeutic actions byblocking the effects of histamine, due to null or negative efficacy towards Gαq-phospholipaseC (PLC)-inositol triphosphates (IP3) and Nuclear Factor-kB cascades, coulddisplay positive efficacy concerning receptor desensitizationor internalization. We used A549 cells, derivedfrom human lung epithelium, endogenously expressing the H1R. Pretreatment of A549 cells during 10 minutes with 1, 3, 10 and 33 μM ofchlorpheniramine and triprolidine prevented the increase of cytosolic Ca2+levels evoked by 100 μM of histamine suggesting that both ligands maypromote H1R desensitization. On the contrary, pretreatment with diphenhydraminedid not modify the H1R response to the agonist. To examine the mechanismsinvolved in these desensitizations we transfected A549 cells with GRK2 anddynamin dominant-negative mutants. Our results indicate that although thesemutants potentiate calcium response to histamine and partially impairedhistamine induced H1R desensitization they did not revert chlorpheniramine nortriprolidine induced desensitization. Finally, preliminary results of saturation-binding assays suggest that some ofthese ligands may also lead to receptor internalization. In conclusion, H1Rdesensitization and/or internalization promoted by these ligands demonstratetheir biased nature and could explain their undesired effects. Accordingly, thisstudy contributes to a correct classification, providing evidence for a morerational and safe use of antihistamines.