Activation of histamine H2 receptors ameliorates experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of multiple sclerosis, is an autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the CNS. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin (IL)-12) and reactive oxygen species are implicated in promoting EAE. Since histamine H(2) receptor activation suppresses production of O(2)*-, TNF-alpha, and IL-12 by inflammatory cells, we tested the hypothesis that dimaprit, an H(2) agonist, would reduce the clinical severity and pathology of EAE. Dimaprit treatment significantly reduced clinical signs compared to vehicle in both C57BL/6 and iNOS deficient EAE mice. Furthermore, dimaprit significantly reduced CNS staining for lectin-positive macrophages and decreased extravasated albumin staining, an indicator of blood-brain barrier leakage. These data provide a rationale for exploring H2 receptor activation for therapeutic value in multiple sclerosis.