Histamine stimulates the proliferation of human articular chondrocytes in vitro and is expressed by chondrocytes in osteoarthritic cartilage

Objectives: To determine the effects of histamine on the proliferative rate of human articular chondrocytes (HAC) in vitro, and to demonstrate whether HAC in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage express histamine and histidine decarboxylase (HDC). Methods: HAC in vitro were incubated with and without histamine in 96 well culture plates and the extent of cell proliferation was determined using the naphthol blue-black method. Histamine effects were analysed with the histamine H₁ and H₂ receptor antagonists, mepyramine and ranitidine, respectively. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies and alkaline phosphatase conjugated secondary antibodies were used, and histamine and HDC were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in OA cartilage tissues. Results: Histamine stimulated the proliferation of HAC in culture. This stimulation was blocked by the addition of mepyramine, but not ranitidine, suggesting that the effect is mediated through H₁ histamine receptors. The addition of α-fluoromethylhistidine, a specific inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase (the enzyme responsible for histamine production), reduced the rate of proliferation of HAC. Both histamine and histidine decarboxylase were demonstrated in chondrocytes of OA cartilage by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion: Changes induced by histamine in the proliferative rate of HAC may contribute to the formation of chondrocyte clusters associated with OA cartilage; an observation supported by the demonstration of histamine and HDC expression by chondrocytes of OA cartilage in situ.