Abstract.
Objective and Design: L-Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) is the primary enzyme regulating histamine biosynthesis. This study was carried out to examine whether the cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC), which constitute the blood-brain barrier (BBB), have the ability to form histamine, and whether HDC mRNA is expressed in rat BMEC.¶Material: Male, 3-week-old Wistar rats were used. For in vitro studies, rat BMEC were isolated from rat brains, and subculture cells were grown on collagen-coated culture flask and slide.¶Methods: HDC assay, immunofluorescence analysis and expression of HDC mRNA by RT-PCR were performed in rat BMEC.¶Results: The HDC activity of the BMEC was estimated to be 0.14 ± 0.05 p mol/min/mg protein. This activity was completely inhibited by (S)-α-fluoromethylhistidine, a specific inhibitor of HDC. Using a polyclonal anti HDC antibody and immunofluorescence microscopy, we confirmed the presence of HDC protein in rat BMEC. RT-PCR also showed the expression of HDC mRNA in rat BMEC.¶Conculsions: L-Histidine uptaken by rat BMEC was shown to be converted to histamine, suggesting that HDC plays an important role in BBB.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received 25 October 1999; returned for revision 8 December1999; returned for final revision 19 January 2000; accepted by E. Neugebauer 31 January 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yamakami, J., Sakurai, E., Kuramasu, A. et al. L-Histidine decarboxylase protein and activity in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells. Inflamm res. 49, 231–235 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110050584
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110050584