HISTAMINE VERSUS ANTIHISTAMINES: NEW MODULATORS OF NEUROGENESIS

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Histamine stimulates neurogenesis in the rodent subventricular zone

Publication . Bernardino, Liliana; Eiriz, Maria Francisca; Santos, Tiago; Xapelli, Sara; Grade, Sofia; Rosa, Alexandra Isabel; Cortes, Luisa; Ferreira, Raquel; Bragança, José; Agasse, Fabienne; Ferreira, Lino; Malva, Joao O.

Neural stem/progenitor cells present in the subventricular zone (SVZ) are a potential source of repairing cells after injury. Therefore, the identification of novel players that modulate neural stem cells differentiation can have a huge impact in stem cell-based therapies. Herein, we describe a unique role of histamine in inducing functional neuronal differentiation from cultured mouse SVZ stem/progenitor cells. This proneurogenic effect depends on histamine 1 receptor activation and involves epigenetic modifications and increased expression of Mash1, Dlx2, and Ngn1 genes. Biocompatible poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles, engineered to release histamine in a controlled and prolonged manner, also triggered robust neuronal differentiation in vitro. Preconditioning with histamine-loaded microparticles facilitated neuronal differentiation of SVZ-GFP cells grafted in hippocampal slices and in in vivo rodent brain. We propose that neuronal commitment triggered by histamine per se or released from biomaterial-derived vehicles may represent a new tool for brain repair strategies. STEM CELLS 2012; 30:773784

2012-04Journal article

Open Access