Histamine inhibits the production of interleukin-12 through interaction with H2 receptors

IL-12 is essential for T helper 1 (Th1) development and inhibits the induction of Th2 responses. Atopic diseases, which are characterized by Th2 responses, are associated with the overproduction of histamine. Here we present evidence that histamine, at physiological concentrations, strongly inhibits...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of clinical investigation 1998-11, Vol.102 (10), p.1866-1873
Main Authors: van der Pouw Kraan, T C, Snijders, A, Boeije, L C, de Groot, E R, Alewijnse, A E, Leurs, R, Aarden, L A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dinoprostone - pharmacology
Histamine - pharmacology
Histamine Agonists - pharmacology
Histamine Antagonists - pharmacology
Histamine H2 Antagonists - pharmacology
Humans
Imidazoles - pharmacology
Interleukin-12 - metabolism
Interleukins - metabolism
Monocytes - drug effects
Monocytes - immunology
Ranitidine - pharmacology
Receptors, Histamine H2 - drug effects
Receptors, Histamine H2 - metabolism
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Thiourea - analogs & derivatives
Thiourea - pharmacology
Triprolidine - pharmacology
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Summary:IL-12 is essential for T helper 1 (Th1) development and inhibits the induction of Th2 responses. Atopic diseases, which are characterized by Th2 responses, are associated with the overproduction of histamine. Here we present evidence that histamine, at physiological concentrations, strongly inhibits human IL-12 p40 and p70 mRNA and protein production by human monocytes. The use of specific histamine receptor antagonists reveals that this inhibition is mediated via the H2 receptor and induction of intracellular cAMP. The inhibition of IL-12 production is independent of IL-10 and IFN-gamma. The observation that histamine strongly reduces the production of the Th1-inducing cytokine IL-12 implies a positive feedback mechanism for the development of Th2 responses in atopic patients.
ISSN:0021-9738
DOI:10.1172/JCI3692