Using a genomics-based reverse pharmacological approach for screening orphan G-protein coupled receptors, we have identified and cloned a novel high-affinity histamine receptor. This receptor, termed AXOR35, is most closely related to the H3 histamine receptor, sharing 37% protein sequence identity. A multiple responsive element/cyclic AMP-responsive element-luciferase reporter assay was used to identify histamine as a ligand for AXOR35. When transfected into human embryonic kidney 293 cells, the AXOR35 receptor showed a strong, dose-dependent calcium mobilization response to histamine and H3 receptor agonists including imetit and immepip. Radioligand binding confirmed that the AXOR35 receptor was a high-affinity histamine receptor. The pharmacology of the AXOR35 receptor was found to closely resemble that of the H3 receptor; the major difference was that (R)-alpha-methylhistamine was a low potency agonist of the AXOR35 receptor. Thioperamide is an antagonist at AXOR 35. Expression of AXOR35 mRNA in human tissues is highest in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in tissues likely to contain high concentrations of blood cells, such as bone marrow and lung. In situ hybridization analysis of a wide survey of mouse tissues showed that mouse AXOR35 mRNA is selectively expressed in hippocampus. The identification and localization of this new histamine receptor will expand our understanding of the physiological and pathological roles of histamine and may provide additional opportunities for pharmacological modification of these actions.

The anaphylatoxin C3a is a potent chemotactic peptide and inflammatory mediator released during complement activation which binds to and activates a G-protein-coupled receptor. Molecular cloning of the C3aR has facilitated studies to identify nonpeptide antagonists of the C3aR. A chemical lead that selectively inhibited the C3aR in a high throughput screen was identified and chemically optimized. The resulting antagonist, N(2)-[(2,2-diphenylethoxy)acetyl]-L-arginine (SB 290157), functioned as a competitive antagonist of (125)I-C3a radioligand binding to rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells expressing the human C3aR (RBL-C3aR), with an IC(50) of 200 nM. SB 290157 was a functional antagonist, blocking C3a-induced C3aR internalization in a concentration-dependent manner and C3a-induced Ca(2+) mobilization in RBL-C3aR cells and human neutrophils with IC(50)s of 27.7 and 28 nM, respectively. SB 290157 was selective for the C3aR in that it did not antagonize the C5aR or six other chemotactic G protein-coupled receptors. Functional antagonism was not solely limited to the human C3aR; SB 290157 also inhibited C3a-induced Ca(2+) mobilization of RBL-2H3 cells expressing the mouse and guinea pig C3aRS: It potently inhibited C3a-mediated ATP release from guinea pig platelets and inhibited C3a-induced potentiation of the contractile response to field stimulation of perfused rat caudal artery. Furthermore, in animal models, SB 290157, inhibited neutrophil recruitment in a guinea pig LPS-induced airway neutrophilia model and decreased paw edema in a rat adjuvant-induced arthritis model. This selective antagonist may be useful to define the physiological and pathophysiological roles of the C3aR.

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The pharmacologic profile of the novel β-adrenoceptor antagonist/vasodilator, carvedilol, has been investigated in vitro. Carvedilol produced competitive antagonism of the β₁-adrenoceptor mediated positive chronotropic response to isoproterenol in guinea pig atria, and the β₂-adrenoceptor mediated relaxation to isoproterenol in carbachol (1 μmol/l) precontracted guinea pig trachea, with a dissociation constant (KB) for β₁-adrenoceptors of 0.8 nmol/l and β₂-adrenoceptors of 1.3 nmol/l. At slightly higher concentrations, carvedilol produced competitive inhibition of the α₁-adrenoceptor mediated contractile response to norepinephrine in rabbit aorta with a K_b of 11 nmol/l. Carvedilol had no significant effect on the contractile response to angiotensin II in rabbit aorta at concentrations up to 10 μmol/l, thus demonstrating the lack of nonspecific vasodilator actions in arteries. In canine saphenous vein, carvedilol produced noncompetitive blockade of α₂-adrenoceptor mediated vasoconstriction, indicative of some additional activity. In estrogen-primed rat uterus precontracted by depolarization with KC1 (70 mmol/l), carvedilol produced concentration-dependent relaxation (IC50 of 7.6 μmol/l), consistent with the notion that carvedilol may be a calcium channel antagonist. Support for this hypothesis was obtained in KCl (70 mmol/l) depolarized rabbit aorta where carvedilol (10 μmol/l) produced a 10-fold parallel rightward shift in the concentration-response curve to calcium chloride. These studies demonstrate that carvedilol is a potent β₁, β₂- and α₁-adrenoceptor antagonist, and a moderately potent calcium channel antagonist. These multiple activities of carvedilol may contribute to the antihypertensive activity of the compound.