Spontaneous atopic dermatitis in mice expressing an inducible thymic stromal lymphopoietin transgene specifically in the skin

J Exp Med. 2005 Aug 15;202(4):541-9. doi: 10.1084/jem.20041503.

Abstract

The cytokine thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) and other allergic diseases in humans. To further characterize its role in this disease process, transgenic mice were generated that express a keratinocyte-specific, tetracycline-inducible TSLP transgene. Skin-specific overexpression of TSLP resulted in an AD-like phenotype, with the development of eczematous lesions containing inflammatory dermal cellular infiltrates, a dramatic increase in Th2 CD4+ T cells expressing cutaneous homing receptors, and elevated serum levels of IgE. These transgenic mice demonstrate that TSLP can initiate a cascade of allergic inflammation in the skin and provide a valuable animal model for future study of this common disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / blood
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / genetics*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism*
  • Keratinocytes / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Skin / pathology
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism*
  • Th2 Cells / pathology
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
  • Transgenes / genetics

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin E
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin