The effects of serotonin (5-HT), histamine (H), and norepinephrine (NE) on bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAE) and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSM) movement were quantitated using a phagokinetic tracking assay. BAE movement was significantly reduced by 5-HT (31%), H (48%), and NE (62%) at concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-4) M (P less than 0.01). VSM motility was significantly enhanced by 5-HT (17%) and H (25%) at concentrations of 10(-8) and 10(-4)M, respectively (P less than 0.01). NE (10(-4)M) reduced VSM motility by 63% (P less than 0.01). Ketanserin (1 microM) reduced the 5-HT-associated inhibition of BAE movement by 75% (P less than 0.01). Diphenhydramine (1 microM) reduced the H-associated inhibition of BAE movement by 66% (P less than 0.01). Propranolol (1 microM) reduced NE-associated inhibition of BAE movement by 50% (P less than 0.01) and 5-HT-associated inhibition by 45% (P less than 0.05), but phenoxybenzamine had no significant effect. The results suggest 1) BAE and VSM are affected qualitatively in opposite ways by 5-HT and H; 2) the H-associated inhibition of BAE movement appears to be at least partially mediated by H1 receptors; 3) the 5-HT-associated inhibition of BAE movement may be mediated directly by a 5-HT binding component but indirectly by beta-adrenergic receptors; and 4) the NE-associated inhibition of BAE movement appears to be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors.