Histamine modulation of lymphocyte biology: membrane receptors, signal transduction, and functions

Abstract

Until recently, histamine has been considered only in the context of its being the major mediator of immediate-type hypersensitivity responses. However, subsequent investigations have demonstrated an additional role for histamine as a regulator of both cellular and humoral immune responses. In this review, we will analyze critically histamine modulation of lymphocyte biology by examining the methods employed to identify cell membrane histamine receptors, the mechanisms of signal transduction following histamine-receptor interaction, and the effects of histamine on lymphocyte function.