[Induction of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesion in NC/Nga mice--the influence of the skin barrier destroying solution to the induction of dermatitis].

: NC/Nga mouse is well known as a mouse model for atopic dermatitis. In general, when NC/Nga mouse are raised under specific pathogen free (SPF) conditions no skin lesions are detected, but when under non-filtrated (conventional) condition, atopic dermatitis like skin lesions appear spontaneously. However, this dermatitis develops in 70-90% of mice (not 100%), which makes it difficult to perform reproducible experiments every time. This study was performed under SPF conditions, using the four solutions (2% SDS, 4% SDS, ethanol, acetone/ether) to destroy the skin barrier function, and thereafter, applying the extracted solution of mite: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, which is a very popular antigen in pathogenesis of human atopic dermatitis. The extracted solution of mite was applied repeatedly on the NC/Nga mice with a pretreatment of barrier destroying solution and after 8 weeks the mice developed severe dermatitis (clinical skin condition score of 7-10.2 points) with marked elevation of plasma IgE level, whereas mice coated only with the barrier destroying solution showed weak skin lesion with no elevation of plasma IgE level. BALB/c mice, which are employed as control, showed weak skin lesion (clinical skin condition score of 0-3.8 points) and slight elevation of plasma IgE level after repeated application of the extracted solution of mite with a pretreatment of the barrier destroying solution, whereas mice coated only with the barrier destroying solution showed weak skin lesion and the no elevation of plasma IgE level was observed. In this study, using several solutions to disturb the skin barrier function before applying the antigen, we have found a suitable condition and types of solutions in inducing dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.