Histamine receptors on lymphocytes: Distribution and functional significance

Several investigations reported modulation of lymphocyte functions followin g activation of the histamine H-2 receptor. However, few data have accumula ted with regard to the distribution of histamine H-2 receptors on different lymphocyte subsets. Conversely, the distribution of histamine H-1 receptor s on different lymphocyte subsets has been thoroughly analyzed using specif ic radioligands, whereas the functional significance of histamine H-1 recep tor ligation on lymphocytes has nor been fully elucidated yet. Recent inves tigations suggest that H1R signaling on lymphocytes may enhance whereas act ivation of the H2R may inhibit lymphocyte responses. In this review, the au thors discuss the current knowledge on distribution and functional signific ance of histamine H-1 and histamine H-2 receptors on human lymphocytes, Cop yright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG. Basel .