title: Histamine H₄ receptors in the gastrointestinal tract.
abstract: Histamine is a well-established mediator involved in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms and exerts its effect through activation of four histamine receptors (H1-H₄). The histamine H₄ receptor is the newest member of this histamine receptor family, and is expressed throughout the gastrointestinal tract as well as in the liver, pancreas and bile ducts. Functional studies using a combination of selective and non-selective H₄ receptor ligands have rapidly increased our knowledge of H₄ receptor involvement in gastrointestinal processes both under physiological conditions and in models of disease. Strong evidence points towards a role for H₄ receptors in the modulation of immune-mediated responses in gut inflammation such as in colitis, ischaemia/reperfusion injury, radiation-induced enteropathy and allergic gut reactions. In addition, data have emerged implicating H₄ receptors in gastrointestinal cancerogenesis, sensory signalling, and visceral pain as well as in gastric ulceration. These studies highlight the potential of H₄ receptor targeted therapy in the treatment of various gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Deiteren
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: De Man
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Pelckmans
authors.forename: B Y
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: De Winter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D011968:Receptors, Histamine / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011968:Receptors, Histamine