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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
07:52
Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
Published on: July 23, 2012
Histamine polarizes human dendritic cells into Th2 cell-promoting effector dendritic cells
G Caron1, Y Delneste, E Roelandts
1Centre d'Immunologie Pierre Fabre, 5 avenue Napoléon III, 74164 Saint Julien en Genevois, France.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|September 21, 2001
Summary
Histamine, released during allergic reactions, drives dendritic cells (DCs) to promote Th2 responses. This discovery reveals a new mechanism for initiating and sustaining allergic disorders.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy research
- Cellular signaling
Background:
- Allergic disorders involve Th2-biased immune responses.
- Dendritic cell (DC) polarization is crucial for Th2 cell differentiation.
- The role of histamine in DC polarization remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of histamine on dendritic cell (DC) polarization.
- To understand histamine's role in initiating and maintaining Th2-biased responses in allergic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Human immature dendritic cells (DCs) were cultured with histamine.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-12 production was measured.
- DC polarization and T helper cell (Th) priming were assessed, including in the presence of IFN-gamma.
Main Results:
- Histamine inhibited LPS-induced IL-12 production by DCs.
- Histamine polarized uncommitted DCs into Th2-promoting DC2.
- Histamine-treated DCs primed Th2 responses, even with IFN-gamma, and failed to produce IL-12 upon restimulation.
- These effects were mediated via both H1 and H2 histamine receptors.
Conclusions:
- Histamine acts as a potent DC2-polarizing factor.
- Histamine influences DC function, promoting Th2 responses.
- This provides a novel mechanism for the initiation and maintenance of Th2-dominant allergic disorders.
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