Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Development of an in vitro model system for studying the interaction of Equus caballus IgE with its high-affinity receptor FcεRI
Published on: November 1, 2014
Histamine Receptor Expression in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Dogs
U Schwittlick1, J Junginger1, K Hahn1
1Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, D-30559, Hannover, Germany.
Abstract:
Histamine is an important mediator of many physiological processes including gastrointestinal function that acts via four different histamine receptors (H1R to H4R). Elevated histamine levels and increased HR messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) have been shown in humans with gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or allergic intestinal diseases. As there is limited knowledge concerning the distribution of histamine receptors (HR) in dogs, one aim of this study was to investigate the expression of histamine 1 receptor (H1R), histamine 2 receptor (H2R) and histamine 4 receptor (H4R) in the canine gastrointestinal tract at protein level using immunohistochemistry. Histamine 1 receptor, H2R and H4R were widely expressed throughout the canine gastrointestinal tract including epithelial, mesenchymal, neuronal and immune cells. In addition, in situ hybridisation was established for detecting canine H4R mRNA. Results showed H4R mRNA to be present in enterocytes, lamina propria immune cells and submucosal plexus in the duodenum and colon of nearly all investigated animals. The results elucidate the importance of HR in the canine gut and represent the basis for investigating their possible impact on canine inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Hormones Secreted by the Stomach
Each of these hormones secreted by different enteroendocrine cells plays a unique role in digestion. Here are a few examples:
Regulation of the Digestive System
The effectors in this regulation system are glands and smooth muscles. Activation of...
Acid Suppressive Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Histamine H2-Receptor Antagonists
What is Monogastric Digestion?
Pathophysiology of Peptic Ulcer Disease: Injurious Factors
In the antrum region, G cells secrete the gastrin hormone that binds to gastrin-cholecystokinin-B (CCK2) receptors on parietal and enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells in the fundic glands. Simultaneously, the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine, which binds...

