Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by hyperproliferative keratinocytes and immune cell infiltration into the skin, often accompanied by itch. Histamine, acting via histamine 1-4 receptors, is known to modulate immune responses in the skin and to induce itch. The aim of this study was to test the role of histamine 2 receptors and histamine 4 receptors in the imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation model. BALB/c mice were treated intraperitoneally with amthamine (histamine 2 receptor agonist), JNJ-39758979 (histamine 4 receptor antagonist), a combination of both, or vehicle twice daily in a preventive manner. Imiquimod was applied once daily onto the back skin for 10 consecutive days. Stimulation of histamine 2 receptors and blockade of histamine 4 receptors ameliorated imiquimod-induced skin inflammation. The combination of amthamine and JNJ-39758979 reduced skin inflammation even more pronounced, diminished epidermal hyperproliferation, and inhibited spontaneous scratching behaviour. A combination of histamine 2 receptor agonist and histamine 4 receptor antagonists could represent a new strategy for the treatment of psoriasis.
Keywords: H2 receptor; H4 receptor; itch; psoriasis; histamine.