WM35 melanoma cells express histamina H4 receptor. Biological responses associated to this receptor

MASSARI, N.A; MEDINA, VA; CRICCO G.P.; COCCA C; BERGOC, R.M; RIVERA, E.S

Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina.

Congreso; XLIV Reunión anual de SAIB, Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Noviembre 8-11, 2008. Villa Carlos Paz, Córdoba, Argentina.; 2008

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular

Malignant melanoma is a rapidly spreading skin tumour with a very high invasive capacity and an incidence that continues increasing globally. Melanoma cells but not normal melanocytes contain large amounts of histamine that has been found to accelerate malignant growth. Additionally the three subtypes of histamine receptors, H1, H2 and H3 have been described in diverse human melanoma cells. The aim of this work was to investigate the presence of H4 histamine receptor (H4R) in WM-35 cells (human primary melanoma cell line) and its associated biological processes. The expression of H4R was analyzed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. To characterize the biological responses we evaluated cell proliferation by the clonogenic assay and cell counting, and also migration by the wound healing assay. Results indicated that WM-35 cells express H4R at the mRNA and protein level. By using specific histamine agonists and antagonists, we determined that histamine decreased proliferation in part through the stimulation of the H4R (70%). In addition, the activation of the H4R produced a 2-fold decrease in migration capability. To our knowledge this is the first report that describes the presence of the H4R in melanoma cells. We conclude that the H4R is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and migration, which are key processes in tumor progression.