Effect of histamine H4 receptor antagonist on allergic rhinitis in mice

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of histamine H(4) receptor antagonist, JNJ7777120 (1-[(5-Chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]-4-methyl-piperazine) on allergic rhinitis in mice. We measured allergic symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing), serum total IgE and the levels of cytokines in nasal lavage fluid. Histamine H(4) receptor antagonist, JNJ7777120, caused the dose-dependent inhibition of nasal symptoms by single and repeated intranasal administrations; however, JNJ7777120 caused no inhibition of serum total IgE by single and repeated intranasal administrations. Therefore, we investigated the effect of JNJ7777120 by oral administration. JNJ7777120 also caused a significant inhibition of nasal symptoms by both single and repeated oral administrations. In addition, repeated oral administration of JNJ7777120 caused significant inhibition of serum total IgE. Furthermore, JNJ7777120 caused a significant decrease in the levels of IL-4 and a significant increase in the levels of IFN-gamma in nasal lavage fluid. These results indicated that histamine H(4) receptor is closely related with allergic rhinitis and is important in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. From these results, it can be concluded that histamine H(4) receptor antagonist might be a new strategy to treat allergic rhinitis with immunomodulatory function.