Dual role of histamine on microglia-induced neurodegeneration

Several hypotheses have been raised about the dual role of histamine in neurological disorders, and evidences have shown its crucial involvement in the modulation of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Previously, we reported that the administration of histamine induces a deleterious effect by promoting a pro-inflammatory phenotype on microglia that in turn compromises dopaminergic neuronal survival. Contrary, under lipopolysaccharide challenge, histamine inhibits the injurious effect of microglia-mediated inflammation, protecting dopaminergic neurons, suggesting that the modulation of microglial activity is dependent on the environmental context. Thus, histamine and/or histamine receptor agonists may serve to develop new therapeutic approaches to overcome neurodegenerative disorders.