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SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2006
11/16/06
The histamine H4 receptor in autoimmune diseases
Summary
Background - Some pro-inflammatory effects of histamine (H) are not blocked by the use of a combination of traditional H1 and H2 antihistamines. Recent studies have found other H receptors, now labeled as H3 and H4 receptors.
Findings - Zhang et al of Johnson and Johnson R and D Labs in San Diego, CA discussed the possible role of the H4 receptor (H4R) in autoimmune diseases. The H4R has been shown to have a role in histamine effects in chemotaxis and mediator release involving several types of immune cells, including mast cells, dendritic cells and T cells. Recently developed antagonists of the H4R have anti-inflammatory effects in asthma and may also affect experimental autoimmune diseases.
Reference
Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2006;15:1443-52
Editor's Comments
The H4R is a G protein linked receptor on a number of hemopoietic cells. Stimulation through the H4R leads to a number of intracellular events, including effects on intracellular C-AMP. It has been long known that inhaled histamine induces considerable bronchoconstriction but H1 antihistamines have only modest inhibitory effects of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction or clinical asthma. Perhaps the H4R is playing a role in inflammatory events in asthma, not amenable to H1 antihistamine therapy
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