Psychological stress with long-standing allergic dermatitis causes psychodermatological conditions in mice.
Psychological factors have long been assumed to be involved in the pathogenesis of allergic skin diseases. The effects of psychological stress on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) have been experimentally well investigated; however, the effects of ACD on stress responses are largely unknown. Here, we report that preceding chronic ACD dramatically affects the behavioral and physiological stress responses to social isolation (a psychological stressor). In male BALB/c mice, social isolation combined with long-standing (>2 months) ACD by repeated hapten application caused characteristic symptoms, including chronic dermatitis from persistent self-scratching, behavioral changes related to fear/anxiety, and elevated serum IgE levels. The symptoms were maintained by social isolation alone without further hapten application after the onset, and were improved by resocialization. Treatment with topical corticosteroids exacerbated chronic scratch dermatitis, whereas it was effective for chronic ACD. These results show that the symptoms represent a de novo development of a specific disease state and not a mere exacerbation of a preexisting allergic inflammation. With this experimental protocol, similar results were obtained in several other strains of mice. This murine model provides a tool for investigating the pathogenesis and treatment of allergic skin disease with psychodermatological aspects.
Ako Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Hyogo, Japan; Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: kitagaki.hideki@otsuka.jp.
Hideki
H
Kitagaki
Ako Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Hyogo, Japan.
Hidetaka
H
Hiyama
Ako Research Institute, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Hyogo, Japan.
Toshiki
T
Kitazawa
Department of Dermatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Tetsuo
T
Shiohara
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002908:Chronic Disease; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000523:psychology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006241:Haptens / Q000276:immunology; D006967:Hypersensitivity; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000276:immunology*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006241:Haptens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E