Enhancement of contact sensitization in mice fed a diet enriched in vitamin A acetate.
Various methods have been used to enhance the ability of laboratory animals to develop contact sensitivity to so-called weak sensitizers. The present studies have examined whether diets supplemented with vitamin A acetate (VAA) could enhance induction and elicitation of contact sensitivity to oxazolone in the mouse. Application of 0.3% oxazolone to VAA-fed mice resulted in increased DNA synthesis in the draining lymph nodes and increased ear thickness after challenge, in comparison with mice on a stock (standard) diet. Moreover, VAA-fed (but not control) mice were sensitized to 0.03% oxazolone as shown by DNA synthesis, increased arrival of syngeneic 51Cr-labelled lymphocytes in the draining lymph nodes, and ear swelling after challenge. These findings demonstrate that vitamin A enhances delayed hypersensitivity responses, and point to a role for vitamin A in developing an animal model capable of detecting weak contact sensitizers after topical application.
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000276:immunology*; D004224:Diterpenes; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010081:Oxazolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D004224:Diterpenes; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014801:Vitamin A; D010081:Oxazolone; C009166:retinol acetate; D004247:DNA