Evaluation of itch by using NC/NgaTnd mice: a model of human atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the extremely complicated syndrome that various abnormalities develop in a heap. There are various factors in patients for the onset and exacerbation of AD, including genetic cofactors of individuals, environmental factors, the failure of the skin barrier function, unfavorable regulation of the immune system, and the hypersensitivity of sensory nerves. In recent years, there have been many trials of the drug discovery that targets itch, because itch is one of the most serious clinical symptoms of AD. The selection of the suitable animal model that represents the condition of patients, as well as innovative analyzing protocols that can precisely evaluate itch, is indispensable for investigation of an effective drug for AD. In the paper, the unique spontaneous animal model for AD (NC/NgaTnd mice) and the novel quantification system of the laboratory animals that may bring a great progress in the future study of itch are outlined.

1. Introduction

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and relapsing skin disorder with allergic immune responses resulting in the hyperproduction of IgE [1]. The most of the patients have genetic cofactors promoting manifestation and/or family history of allergic disorders, including anamnesis either or some of bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis. Increased numbers of activated circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and marked infiltration of CD4+ T cells into the dermis are characteristic features of patients with AD. In particular, T cells bearing the cutaneous lymphocyte antigen with features of allergen-specific T cells of the Th2-type are recruited. The initial phase of AD is dominated by Th2 type T cells producing IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13; at the subsequent chronic phase, the number of Th1 cells producing IFN-γ increases. Not only T cells but also keratinocytes are capable of aggravating the inflammatory reaction in the skin through upregulated release of some cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, barrier dysfunction of atopic skins is likely to play a pivotal role in the exacerbation of clinical conditions [2]. Contact or invasion of environmental antigens such as house dust mites exacerbates clinical symptoms. Itch is one of the most serious clinical symptoms of AD, and repeated itching-scratching episodes may be greatly involved in acceleration and severity of dermatitis [1, 3, 4]. Epidermal hyperplasia, as well as infiltration of mononuclear cells and eosinophils, and degranulation of mast cells at the affected skins, is the most typical pathological manifestations of AD [3]. Since the background is multifactorial and the underlying predispositions is involved, the pathogenesis of AD is quite complex. For understanding pathogenic pathways of AD, suitable animal models are necessary, which may lead to the development of new drugs with great benefit for patients with AD [5, 6].

2. Spontaneous Model for Human AD: NC/NgaTnd Mice

NC/NgaTnd mice, an inbred strain originated from Japanese fancy mice, spontaneously develop itchy dermatitis in an air-unregulated conventional circumstance from 6 to 8 weeks of age (Figure 1). On the other hand, skin lesions do not develop when they are raised in air-regulated specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions (Figure 1). We have analyzed aspects manifested in NC/NgaTnd mice immunologically, pathologically, dermatologically, and molecular biologically and found that clinical symptoms in NC/NgaTnd mice are quite similar to those found in human AD [7-9]. Thereafter, as the first spontaneous AD model mouse, NC/NgaTnd mice attract attention from researchers of the world. NC/NgaTnd mice are estimated as an appropriate animal model for the screening of novel therapeutic agents for AD. In affected skins of NC/Nga mice, epidermal hyperplasia, increase and degranulation of mast cells and recruitment of inflammatory cells are remarkable (Figure 2). In addition, IL-4 is produced in CD4+ T cells and mast cells, and Th2-specific chemokines are overproduced [10], indicating that Th2-type immune responses are upregulated. Exacerbation of dermatitis relates to the increase of total IgE levels and eosinophil numbers in circulation. Contents of ceramide in skins are decreased in NC/NgaTnd mice before dermatitis becomes remarkable, and it became clear that transepidermal water loss of affected skins was promoted as a result [11]. The Itch-scratch cycle contributes to the development of AD as a cofactor. Decreased production of semaphorin 3A that has an activity to inhibit nerve growth factor-induced sprouting of sensory neurons is recently reported in the skin lesions of patients with AD and conventional NC/Nga mice [12, 13], and repeated topical injection with recombinant semaphorin 3A is effective to improve the skin lesions of conventional NC/Nga mice [13]. More recently, we have demonstrated that thymic stromal lymphopoietin released from keratinocytes of the skin lesions contributes to the early stage of AD in NC/NgaTnd mice and peroxisome proliferators activated receptors gamma activation down-regulates the onset of AD via inhibition of dendritic cell functions activated by thymic stromal lymphopoietin [14].

Figure 1

NC/NgaTnd mice maintained in air-regulated SPF (a) or air-unregulated conventional circumstances (b).

Figure 2

Generation of mast cell-deficient NC/NgaTnd mice. NC/NgaTnd mice with heterozygous (a) and homozygous (b) for the mast cell-deficient Wsh gene mutation.

Researchers have to be careful because there are some sublines of the NC strain that rarely develops AD spontaneously. When experiments in the conventional circumstances are not applicable, allergic dermatitis can be induced by using repeated application protocols with haptens, including FITC or picryl chloride. However, the hapten-induced dermatitis is initiated by a Th1-mediated immune response. Recently, atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions can be reproduced by applying the extract of house dust mites to SFP NC/NgaTnd mice as an ointment. Furthermore, hairless NC/Nga mice are generated by using the toxin receptor-mediated cell knockout (TRECK) method [15]. Hairless NC/NgaTnd mice allows us to apply therapeutic reagents onto skins without shaving and to observe clinical symptoms quite easily.

In our laboratory, NC/NgaTnd mice have been backcrossed to specific gene-deficient mice such as matrix metalloprotease-9, Fc receptor γ chain, protease-activated receptor 2 and succeeded in the construction of different congenic NC/NgaTnd mice deficient for these genes. Furthermore, mast cell-deficient NC/NgaTnd mice have been generated (Figure 3). Congenic gene manipulated NC/NgaTnd mice will provide more precise information concerning the involvement of certain genes in the development and/or exacerbation of AD.

Figure 3

Microscopic features of skins obtained from NC/NgaTnd mice raised in SPF (a) or conventional (b) circumstances.

3. A Novel Scratch Analyzing System for Laboratory Mice: SCLABA-Real

Reliable quantification of scratching behavior in laboratory mice is helpful for investigating itch mechanisms and for developing new drugs for allergic dermatitis. We identified a feasible parameter for quantification of scratching behavior in mice using a novel analyzing system, SCLABA-Real (Figure 4). Although intradermal injection with pruritogenic reagents into mice, precise measurement and evaluation of high-speed scratching behavior in mice have still been complicated. SCLABA-Real enabled us to analyze scratching behavior in real time without giving any kinds of stressful operations to a mouse [16, 17]. The behavior of 4 mice is simultaneously recorded with a high-speed digital vision from the top of the exclusive cage placed on near-infrared light. A SCLABA-Real software accurately detects the algorithm that is specific for scratching behavior in mice and records data in real time. Effective antipruritic reagents can be selected by an accurate evaluation of scratching behavior in laboratory mice using a SCLABA-Real system.

Figure 4

A novel scratch analyzing system, SCLABA-Real. (a) The high-speed camera containing image processing system and the recording platform with a built-in near-infrared light panel for real-time quantification of scratching behavior of mice. (b) Real time record and analyze window. (c) Analyzed data of scratching frequency and duration. (d) Validation window for each frame.

The novel scratch analyzing system, SCLABA-Real, calculates “frame-to-frame difference” that is a mouse's migration area per frame by capturing animal behavior at the rate of 240 frames per second using the high-speed camera containing image processing system [16, 17]. This whole new system allows us to quantify the number and duration of scratching behavior automatically by time-course analysis of “frame-to-frame difference” and evaluate the degree of itching from many directions.

The “frame-to-frame difference” analysis of the movement is the uniquely method realized by using the special camera in this system which can send images and the data to the hard disk of a computer instantly through the video server and LAN, which enable us to perform real-time and accurate analysis of scratching only. Prolonged measurement can be carried out because the stress on mice from the preliminary treatment and the environment is excluded. The recording platform has a built-in near-infrared light panel. Scratching behavior of mice can be recorded in a natural state using invisible near-infrared light. This system allows us to evaluate scratching behavior not only in the day time but also in the nighttime and darkness. The timer that activates the system automatically enables to start on analysis at night.

Although scratching behavior is the critical item for the drug development, its quantification by visual check has been quite subjective. However, this innovative product provides automatic analysis of scratching behavior in an objective and accurate manner.

4. Remarks

AD is a quite complicated syndrome with many abnormalities, including genetic, environmental, immunological, and dermatological cofactors. To select suitable animal models for each research is particularly important to obtain good outcomes. Therefore, researchers should know the characteristics, including advantages and disadvantages, of the model well. The spontaneous AD model, NC/NgaTnd mice have provided valuable information concerning the evaluation and selection of effective new drugs and supplements [18-21].

The drug development that targeted itch is prosperous, but the past trials for quantification of itch with a laboratory animal have been failed. SCLABA-Real is an apparatus of the extremely precise analyzing system for itch, that is totally different from conventional measuring systems. A spontaneous AD model NC/NgaTnd mice and a SCLABA-Real system provide a possibility to develop the study of itch in the next generation.