Arthropod-derived protein EV131 inhibits histamine action and allergic asthma

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005 Nov:1056:189-96. doi: 10.1196/annals.1352.009.

Abstract

Histamine is an important mediator of allergic responses. Arthropods express several biologically active proteins in their saliva, which may allow a prolonged blood meal on the host. Proteins identified and expressed include histamine, serotonin, tryptase, and complement binding proteins. We review here data that scavenging of endogenous histamine by the histamine-binding protein EV131 has a profound inhibitory effect on allergic asthma. Aerosol administration of EV131 prevented airway hyperreactivity and abrogated peribronchial inflammation, eosinophil recruitment, mucus hypersecretion, and IL-4 and IL-5 secretion. Saturation with histamine abrogated the inhibitory effect of EV131 on bronchial hyperreactivity. The data suggest that histamine plays a role in allergies and that scavenging of histamine by EV131 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of allergic diseases.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthropods*
  • Carrier Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Histamine H2 Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Proteins / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Asthmatic Agents
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Histamine H1 Antagonists
  • Histamine H2 Antagonists
  • Proteins