Histamine and Histamine Receptors in Allergic Dermatitis

Abstract

In this chapter we will first introduce the pathophysiological process of several skin diseases including allergic dermatitis, a common skin disease, including chronic allergic contact dermatitis (CACD), and atopic dermatitis (AD). In CACD and AD patients, repeated skin exposure to antigens contributes to the development of chronic eczematous lesions. Repeated application of haptens on mice allows emulation of the development of CACD in humans. Further, we will focus on H1, H2, and H4 histamine receptors and their effects on CACD and AD. Histamine-deficient mice, with a knockout histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene, were used to investigate the role of histamine in CACD and AD. Histamine induces infiltration of inflammatory cells, including mast cells and eosinophils, and elevates Th2 cytokine levels in CACD. Histamine promotes the development of eczematous lesions, elevates IgE serum levels, and induces scratching behavior in CACD. The administration of H1 or H4 receptor antagonists was effective to ameliorate these symptoms in murine CACD models. The combination of H1 and H4 receptor antagonists is a potential therapeutic target for chronic inflammatory skin diseases such as CACD and AD, since combined therapy proved to be more effective than monotherapy.

Role of Histamine in Modulating the Immune Response and Inflammation

“…Although histamine is commonly associated with skin inflammation processes, for example, allergic dermatitis [ 60 ], it may play a regulatory role in other clinical conditions such as psoriasis, which is a multifactorial Th1/Th17-driven inflammation of the skin [ 61 ]. In a murine psoriasis-like model induced by imiquimod administration, Kim et al showed that the H4R agonist 4-methylhistamine ameliorated the clinical scores of psoriatic mice due to repression of Th1 cytokines and simultaneous induction of Treg cells [ 62 ].…”

Upregulation of histamine receptor H1 promotes tumor progression and contributes to poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Histamine is a ubiquitous messenger molecule with multiple physiological activities that released from neurons, mast cells, and enterochromaffin-like cells [1]. It exerts various biological effects through its four cognate G proteincoupled histamine receptors: H1, H2, H3, and H4 (H1HR, H2HR, H3HR, and H4HR, respectively) [2]. Previous studies have shown that H1 histamine receptor (H1HR) is extensively involved in a wide array of pathological processes of allergy, such as atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma [3,4].…”

Prenatal and neonatal factors involved in the development of childhood allergic diseases in Guangzhou primary and middle school students

“…Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways that is often accompanied by extensive and variable airflow obstruction [1]. Allergic dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction that occurs at a contact site or part of the skin or mucous membrane after a single or multiple exposures to an exogenous substance [2]. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by at least two nasal symptoms: rhinorrhoea, blockage, sneezing or itching [3].…”