Anti-interleukin-31-antibodies ameliorate scratching behaviour in NC/Nga mice: a model of atopic dermatitis.
BACKGROUND
Interleukin-31 (IL-31), a novel cytokine, is upregulated in atopic dermatitis skin lesions in humans and skin lesions in the NC/Nga mice, a murine model for atopic dermatitis.


OBJECTIVE
Here, we investigated the effect of a monoclonal IL-31 antibody on scratching behaviour, weight gain and dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.


METHODS
Mice were divided into three groups, n = 10 in each group. Mice were given monoclonal IL-31 rat-anti-mouse antibody 10 mg/kg or albumin intraperitoneally every fifth day for seven weeks. In addition, the mice in one group were not exposed to any form of intervention. The dermatitis score was clinically assessed twice a week. The scratching behaviour was automatically detected and objectively evaluated.


RESULTS
Intervention with IL-31 antibody 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally every fifth day in NC/Nga mice from age 7 weeks reduced the scratching behaviour, but did not have any impact on weight gain or dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
IL-31 antibody reduces scratching behaviour in an atopic dermatitis-like murine model during the onset of clinical skin manifestations. Our findings suggest IL-31 antibody as a new potential therapeutic approach for pruritus in atopic dermatitis and other pruritic diseases.
Grimstad
Oystein
O
Institute of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. oystein.grimstad@ntnu.no
Sawanobori
Yasushi
Y
Vestergaard
Christian
C
Bilsborough
Janine
J
Olsen
Uffe Bang
UB
Grønhøj-Larsen
Christian
C
Matsushima
Kouji
K
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry*; D001835:Body Weight; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007378:Interleukins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011537:Pruritus / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007378:Interleukins; C502588:interleukin-31, mouse