In a new study, researchers from Arizona State University explore the wound-healing process in detail, focusing on the role of histamine a natural chemical that helps coordinate the bodys repair process.
While histamine is well-known for its involvement in allergic reactions triggering symptoms such as itching swelling, and a runny nose it also plays a vital role in regulating the immune system controlling inflammation and promoting wound healing.

Healing with Histamine
Chronic and slow-healing wounds impact around 6.5 million people in the U.S. each year, contributing to an estimated $20 billion in annual healthcare costs. The process of tissue repair generally unfolds in a well-coordinated series of stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. However, any disruption in these tightly regulated phases can result in serious complications. For instance, diabetic foot wounds are associated with a five-year survival rate that is lower than that of certain cancers.
Histamine receptors are specialized cell proteins that respond to histamine, with each receptor type serving a unique function. These receptors are distributed across various cell types: H1 is located on endothelial and immune cells, H2 on stomach lining and immune cells, H3 primarily on neurons and some endothelial cells, and H4 predominantly on immune cells, including mast cells and neutrophils—a type of white blood cell.

While histamine plays a critical role during the inflammatory phase of wound healing, its levels must decrease for the wound to transition into the proliferative and remodeling phases. During the proliferative phase, the body begins repairing the damage by generating new blood vessels, collagen, and skin cells to rebuild the tissue. This is followed by the remodeling phase, where the newly formed tissue is strengthened and reorganized to restore normal functionality.

Source: https://news.asu.edu/20241203-health-and-medicine-asu-study-uses-new-biomaterials-wound-healing#:~:text=The%20silk%2Dbased%20biomaterial%20used,selectively%20activate%20specific%20histamine%20receptors.