Establishment of Allergic Dermatitis in NC/Nga Mice as a Model for Severe Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Mite antigen has been suggested to play important roles in the onset and/or development of atopic dermatitis, and mite antigen-induced dermatitis models appear beneficial for the basic study of atopic dermatitis. In the present study therefore, we attempted to establish an allergic dermatitis model in mice using Dermatophagoides farinae crude extract as an antigen. Mite antigen solution at a concentration of 1 or 10 mg/ml was painted 5 times repeatedly at an interval of 7 d onto the ear of NC/Nga or BALB/c mice with or without simultaneous tape-stripping. Apparent biphasic ear swelling was observed after the 4th and 5th antigen applications in both strains of mice treated with 10 mg/ml of antigen solution. Thickening of the epidermis, fibrosis of the dermis, and the accumulation of inflammatory cells were also observed after the 5th application. The inflammatory changes were more evident in NC/Nga mice than in BALB/c mice and potentiated by tape-stripping. The ear swelling was accompanied by increased serum IgE, increased expression of interleukin-4 mRNA and decreased expression of interferon-g g mRNA in cervical lymph nodes and ears. These results indicate that ear swelling caused by repeated mite antigen application with simultaneous tape-stripping has a Th2-dominant background and that the inflammatory responses are expressed more potently in NC/Nga mice than in BALB/c mice. The dermatitis caused by mite antigen in NC/Nga mice appears to be a useful model for the basic study of atopic dermatitis.

Skin-Infiltrating CD8+ T Cells Initiate Atopic Dermatitis Lesions

“…CD8 ϩ T cell-deficient mice, using a mouse model of allergen (Der f)-induced skin inflammation reproducing most of the features of human AD (17). We show that effector CD8 ϩ T cells mediate inflammation and AD-like lesions.…”

“…C57BL/6 mice were sensitized once a week for six consecutive weeks by skin application of a solution of Der f on the left ear and of vehicle alone on the right ear, as previously described (17). Control mice were sensitized with the vehicle alone.…”

Protease-Resistant Fraction of Smoked, Dried Bonito Alleviates Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions in NC/Nga Mice

“…LTB 4 released from affected red blood cells after A23187 stimulation was significantly lower in the SDBR group than in the C group. The hyperproduction of IgE is one of the most characteristic features of AD ( 30 ) and AA enhances IgE formation ( 31 ).…”

Oral Administration of a Hop Water Extract Ameliorates the Development of Dermatitis Induced by the Periodical Topical Application of a Mite Antigen in Atopic Dermatitis Model NC/Nga Mice

“…27,28) The late-phase inflammatory reaction plays an important role in the development of chronic skin diseases such as AD. 13) Activated mast cells elicit the late-phase reaction through the production of such cytokines as IL-3, IL-4 and IL-5, and such lipid mediators as prostaglandins and luekotoriens. Such flavonoids as luteolin, fisetin, apigenin, kaempherol, and quercetin have been reported to inhibit IL-4 and IL-13 synthesis by human basophils.…”

“…9) NC/Nga mice, an inbred strain established from fancy Japanese mice, develop AD-like skin lesions under conventional care, or upon treatment by repeated challenge with a mite antigen under the specific pathogen-free (SPF) condition. [11][12][13][14] The induced dermatitis is accompanied by an elevated serum IgE level, increased expression of Th2 cytokines, eosinophil accumulation in the lesions and frequent scratching behavior which are characteristic features of human AD.…”