Histamine, which acts via G protein-coupled receptors, is an important mediator of immediate hypersensitivity and is also able to influence the nature of T cell responses. We demonstrated that TH1 and Th2 cells express distinct surface histamine receptor patterns and that Th1-type responses are enhanced by histamine, whereas Th2-type responses are negatively regulated, due to different intracellular signals generated by histamine stimulation. These findings account for negative feedback regulation in a wide variety of pathologies.

Keywords:
T cell subsets, Receptors, Histamine
1.
Mosmann TR, Sad S: The expanding universe of T-cell subsets: Th1, Th2 and more. Immunol Today 1996;17:138–146.
2.
Romagnani S: Lymphokine production by human T cells in disease states. Annu Rev Immunol 1994;12:227–257.
3.
Falus A, Meretey K: Histamine: An early messenger in inflammatory and immune reactions. Immunol Today 1992;13:154–156.
4.
Leurs R, Smit MJ, Timmerman H: Molecular pharmacological aspects of histamine receptors. Pharmacol Ther 1995;66:413–463.
5.
Yamashita M, Fukui H, Sugama K, Horio Y, Ito S, Mizuguchi H, Wada H: Expression cloning of a cDNA encoding the bovine histamine H1 receptor. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1991;88:11515–11519.
6.
Gantz I, DelValle J, Wang LD, Tashiro T, Munzert G, Guo YJ, Konda Y, Yamada T: Molecular basis for the interaction of histamine with the histamine H2 receptor. J Biol Chem 1992;267:20840–20843.
7.
Sallusto F, Mackay CR, Lanzavecchia A: Selective expression of the eotaxin receptor CCR3 by human T helper 2 cells. Science 1997;277:2005–2007.
8.
Faith A, Akdis CA, Akdis M, Simon HU, Blaser K: Defective TCR stimulation in anergized type 2 T helper cells correlates with abrogated p56(lck) and ZAP-70 tyrosine kinase activities. J Immunol 1997;159:53–60.
9.
Akdis M, Simon HU, Weigl L, Kreyden O, Blaser K, Akdis CA: Skin homing (cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen-positive) CD8+ T cells respond to superantigen and contribute to eosinophilia and IgE production in atopic dermatitis. J Immunol 1999;163:466–475.
10.
Akdis M, Akdis CA, Weigl L, Disch R, Blaser K: Skin-homing, CLA+ memory T cells are activated in atopic dermatitis and regulate IgE by an IL-13-dominated cytokine pattern: IgG4 counter-regulation by CLA– memory T cells. J Immunol 1997;159:4611–4619.
11.
Jutel M, Pichler WJ, Skrbic D, Urwyler A, Dahinden C, Muller UR: Bee venom immunotherapy results in decrease of IL-4 and IL-5 and increase of IFN-γ secretion in specific allergen-stimulated T cell cultures. J Immunol 1995;154:4187–4194.
12.
Akdis CA, Akdis M, Blesken T, Wymann D, Alkan SS, Muller U, Blaser K: Epitope-specific T cell tolerance to phospholipase A2 in bee venom immunotherapy and recovery by IL-2 and IL-15 in vitro. J Clin Invest 1996;98:1676–1683.
13.
Akdis CA, Blaser K: IL-10-induced anergy in peripheral T cell and reactivation by microenvironmental cytokines: Two key steps in specific immunotherapy. FASEB J 1999;13:603–609.
14.
Akdis CA, Blesken T, Akdis M, Wuthrich B, Blaser K: Role of interleukin 10 in specific immunotherapy. J Clin Invest 1998;102:98–106.
15.
Jutel M, Muller UR, Fricker M, Rihs S, Pichler W, Dahinden C: Influence of bee venom immunotherapy on degranulation and leukotriene generation in human blood basophils. Clin Exp Allergy 1996;26:1112–1118.
16.
Jutel M, Skrbic D, Pichler WJ, Muller UR: Ultra rush bee venom immunotherapy does not reduce cutaneous weal responses to bee venom and codeine phosphate. Clin Exp Allergy 1995;25:1205–1210.
17.
Bartholeyns J, Bouclier M: Involvement of histamine in growth of mouse and rat tumors: Antitumoral properties of monofluoromethylhistidine, an enzyme-activated irreversible inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase. Cancer Res 1984;44:639–645.
© 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
2001
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.