Epicutaneous exposure of protein antigen induces a predominant Th2-like response with high IgE production in mice.
Hapten-induced contact hypersensitivity has been well-characterized in humans as well as in animal models. However, it is not clear whether or not protein Ag can directly sensitize epicutaneously and induce a primary immune response. We demonstrated in this study, for the first time, that through epicutaneous exposure protein Ag in the absence of adjuvant sensitizes animals and induces a predominant Th2-like response. Furthermore, mice receiving repeated protein Ag sustained elevated levels of specific IgE. This animal model can be used to investigate the molecular mechanism controlling the differential Th1/Th2 development in skin diseases.
Wang
L F
LF
Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Lin
J Y
JY
Hsieh
K H
KH
Lin
R H
RH
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006241:Haptens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D007700:Kinetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000941:Antigens; D006241:Haptens; D011506:Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin