Gene expression profiling of skin and draining lymph nodes of rats affected with cutaneous contact hypersensitivity

Abstract.

Objectives and design

The present study aimed at a broad genome expression analysis of rat skin and draining lymph nodes affected with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).

Methods

ACD was elicited in sensitized SD rats with 0.5% 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene on skin areas distant from the sensitization sites. Involved skin and lymph nodes were dissected 8 and 24 h after challenge. RNA was hybridized on Affymetrix GeneChips. Expression data were analyzed with the GeneSpring software.

Results

Expression of 1,882 out of 8,799 examined genes in skin or lymph nodes was significantly (p  ≤  0.01) changed compared to levels in normal tissue. After an additional 2- fold filtering, four expression patterns were selected and interpreted. Prominently up-regulated genes were IL-6, CCR-5, CCL-2, CCL-3, CXCL-1, CXCL-10, TIMP-1, OX-40, calgranulin b, ST2, β-defensin, iNOS, STAT-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-12, and MMP-13.

Conclusions

In addition to previously reported transcript changes, the present findings suggest/support that plasma cells, mast cells, and a specific IFN-γ pathway play a substantial role in the pathogenesis of ACD.