Mouse Models of Atopic Eczema Critically Evaluated

Vol. 135, No. 3, 2004

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Mouse Models of Atopic Eczema Critically Evaluated
Jan Gutermuth^a, Markus Ollert^b,c, Johannes Ring^a, Heidrun Behrendt^c, Thilo Jakob^a,c

^aDivision of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy GSF/TUM, GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health and ZAUM Center for Allergy and Environment,
^bClinical Research Division of Molecular and Clinical Allergotoxicology, and
^cDepartment of Dermatology and Allergy Biederstein, Technical University, Munich, Germany

Address of Corresponding Author

Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2004;135:262-276 (DOI: 10.1159/000082099)

Key Words

Models, animal/mouse
Eczema, atopic
Dermatitis, atopic
Atopic eczema/dermatitis syndromes

Abstract

Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disorder with increasing prevalence in Western societies. Even though we have made considerable progress in understanding the cellular and molecular nature of cutaneous inflammation, the precise pathomechanisms of AE still remain elusive. Experimental animal models are indispensable tools to study the pathogenic mechanisms and to test novel therapeutic approaches in vivo. For AE a considerable number of mouse models have been proposed and have been used to study specific aspects of the disease, such as genetics, skin barrier defects, immune deviations, bacteria-host interactions or the role of cytokines or chemokines in the inflammatory process. While some models closely resemble human AE, others appear to reflect only specific aspects of the disease. Here we review the currently available mouse models of AE in light of the novel World Allergy Organization classification of eczematous skin diseases and evaluate them according to their clinical, histopathological and immunological findings. The pathogenetic analogies between mice and men will be discussed.

Author Contacts

Correspondence to: Dr. Thilo Jakob, Division of Environmental, Dermatology and Allergy
GSF/TUM, GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health and
ZAUM Center for Allergy and Environment, Technical University Munich
Biedersteinerstrasse 29, DE-80802 Munich (Germany)
Tel. +49 89 3187 2556, Fax +49 89 3187 2540, E-Mail thilo.jakob@gsf.de

Article Information

Published online: November 10, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 15
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 85

Medline Abstract (ID 15542938)

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