Histamine and its receptors: From physiology to pathology

Abstract

Histamine is one of the main mediators involved in immune homeostasis, presenting a myriad of functions. Four histamine receptors (HR) are currently known, being HR1 the best characterized and recognized for its association with allergic diseases pathophysiology. HR2 is known for its involvement in gastric pathology, HR3 for its neuromodulatory role and, more recently, HR4, considered to be involved also in allergic pathology, as well as in autoimmunity and cancer. There are several drugs available on the market that block H1 receptors, as well as H2 receptors. Recently, anti-H3 drugs have been described, with therapeutic potential in neurological diseases. There are several molecules in study, blocking HR4, in monotherapy or in combination with blocking HR1, with therapeutic potential in allergic disease, in some neoplasms and autoimmune pathologies.