Bidirectional communication between histamine and cytokines

Histamine plays fundamental roles in numerous immune reactions. In addition to its well-characterized effects in the acute inflammatory and allergic r esponses, histamine also influences the expression and actions of several c ytokines. The interaction between histamine and the cytokines is bidirectio nal, since some cytokines were found to modulate the production and release of histamine as well. Because several pharmacological agents that modulate the actions of histamine (e.g, antihistamines) are widely used in the trea tment of various human diseases (allergy, peptic ulcer etc.), this complex interaction could have general medical relevance too, but the current situa tion appears to be rather controversial and further studies are needed to e lucidate these sophisticated interactions more precisely.