Tumor necrosis factor-[alpha], monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 increase during the development of a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced immediate-type dermatitis in rats

Due to the steadily increasing incidence of atopic dermatitis, there is a great medical need for new therapies and improved animal models. To provide more detailed analysis of a Sprague-Dawley rat dermatitis model. Sprague-Dawley rats were actively sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of dinitrophenylated ovalbumin (DNP-OVA) plus alum. Skin reactions were elicited by repeated epicutaneous challenge with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). The ear thickness exhibited a significant increase from the first challenge. A relatively steep increase in ear thickness was observed at the fifth DNFB application. After the fifth DNFB application, total serum immunoglobulin (Ig) E and IgG1 levels reached a plateau at 1 h compared with the normal group. The peak production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-[alpha] and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 was found at 1 h, while that of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 was found at 24 h. Infiltration of CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, eosinophils and mast cells increased in the skin lesion. The indices such as thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lesional skin were increased by repeated hapten application; TNF-[alpha], MCP-1 and ICAM-1 increased with the development of the dermatitis.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]