Dendritic cells are professional antigen presenting cells, counceling innate and adaptative immune responses. They express all types of membrane histamine receptors, differencially according to their maturation state. Immature dendritic cells express HIR and H3R receptors. Their stimulation activates cell migration and costimulatory molecule expression. Mature dendritic cells express H2R, H3R and H4R, and their stimulation by histamine, decreases IL-12 secretion and is responsible for Th2 cytokine expression. Anti-histamines are HIR inverse agonists. In vitro and animal models suggest that these drugs may well act on the immune response. The presence of histamine receptors on dendritic cells and the better understanding of their roles may lead to new therapeutic perspectives of these drugs. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.