Histamine regulates mucin expression through H1 receptor in airway epithelial cells

Abstract Conclusion: The data suggest that histamine up-regulates MUC2 gene regulation and mucin production in airway epithelial cells through histamine 1 receptor (H1R). Histamine appears to play an important role in the early phase of mucin regulation, which might be effectively blocked by an H1R antagonist. Objective: Histamine is an important inflammatory mediator during the early phase of allergic response and antihistamine is known to have an ability to reduce mucus secretion in inflamed airways. The goal of the present study was to determine the effects of histamine on MUC2 gene expression and mucin secretion and to investigate the response to histamine 1 receptor (H1R) blocker in NCI-H292 cells and HM3-MUC2 cells. Methods: NCI-H292 cells, a human pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line, and HM3-MUC2 cells transfected with MUC2 promoter (–2,864/+19) pGL2 luciferase construct were used in the study. MUC2 mRNAexpression was analyzed by RT-PCR for NCI-H292 cells and by luciferase assays for HM3-M...