Print
Email
Contact Hypersensitivity
Publication Name:
Current Protocols in Immunology
Unit Number:
Unit 4.2
DOI:
10.1002/0471142735.im0402s08
Online Posting Date:
May, 2001 Abstract
Contact hypersensitivity is a simple in vivo assay of cell-mediated immune function in which exposure of epidermal cells to exogenous haptens results in a delayed-type hypersensitive reaction that can be measured and quantified. The Langerhans cell is the critical antigen-presenting cell in this reaction which initiates sensitization to haptens by presenting antigens to CD4-bearing T lymphocytes which, in turn, secrete lymphokines and recruit other cells to the site of the reaction. In the protocol described here, mice are shaved and the skin of their abdomens is exposed to a hapten. After 6 days (the afferent phase), the baseline ear thickness is measured prior to initiation of the efferent phase. Finally, the ear is treated epicutaneously with the hapten solution and ear thickness is measured in ~24 hr. The change in ear thickness after allergen treatment can be used to calculate the percent suppression of contact hypersensitivity.
Materials
Basic Protocol
Materials
- Female mice, 6 to 12 weeks old and pathogen-free
- Small animal clipper (Oster A-2)
- Dial thickness gauge, 0.01 to 12.5 mm (see Fig.
- Indelible marking pen
- Additional equipment for animal handling and restraint (unit
Looking for materials? Suppliers Guide
Figures
-
Figure 4.2.1Use of the dial thickness gauge for ear measurements.
(A) Dial thickness gauge utilized to measure ear thickness in contact hypersensitivity assay.
(B) Measure ear thickness by applying pressure behind the neck with the thumb and index fingers; gentle anterior traction will “roll” the ears forward to facilitate placement of calipers for measurements.
(C) Proper placement of thickness-gauge calipers for measuring ear thickness. Note the distal placement of the calipers on the pinna of the ear. A thin “rim” of pinna remains distal to the caliper jaws. It is imperative that measurements be taken from the same relative position on the ear of the mouse.
Literature Cited
| Literature Cited | |
| Asherson, G.L. and Ptak, W. 1968. Contact and delayed hypersensitivity in the mouse. I. Active sensitization and passive transfer. Immunology 15:405-416. | |
| Furue, M. and Tamaki, K. 1985. Induction and suppression of contact hypersensitivity to FITC. J. Invest. Dermatol. 85:139-42. | |
| Miller, J.F., Vadas, M.A., Whitelaw, A., and Gamble, J. 1975. A radioisotopic method to measure delayed type hypersensitivity in the mouse. II. Cell transfer studies. Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol. 49(5):692-708. | |
| Phanuphak, P. Moorhead, J.W., and Claman, H.N. 1974. Tolerance and contact hypersensitivity to DNFB in mice. J. Immunol. 112:115-123. | |
| Tamaki, T., Fujiwara, H., and Katz, S.I. 1981. The role of epidermal cells in the induction and suppression of contact hypersensitivity. J. Invest. Dermatol. 76(4):275-278. | |
| Toews, G.B., Bergstresser, P.R., and Streilein, J.W. 1980. Epidermal Langerhans cell density determines whether contact hypersensitivity or unresponsiveness follows skin painting with DNFB. J. Immunol. 124:445-453. | |
| Vadas, M.A., Miller, J.F., Gamble, J., and Whitelaw, A. 1975. A radioisotopic method to measure delayed type hypersensitivity in the mouse. I. Studies in sensitized and normal mice. Int. Arch. Allergy Appl. Immunol. 49(5):670-92. | |
Editorial announcements
Troubleshooting Tips
|
TOOLS & CALCULATORS |
Join the Conversation
Post new comment