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Bioluminescence and Near-infrared Imaging of Optic Neuritis and Brain Inflammation in the EAE Model of Multiple Sclerosis in Mice
Published on: March 1, 2017
A light-emitting mouse to image skin inflammation.
Jason J Bentow1, Rattapon Thuangtong, Julie Iwasaki
1Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA.
Dermatitis : Contact, Atopic, Occupational, Drug
|May 28, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed a novel bioluminescent mouse model to quantify inflammatory cell infiltration in skin. This noninvasive assay provides a more accurate measure of inflammation than traditional swelling tests, aiding in the development of new anti-inflammatory treatments.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Immunology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- The mouse ear swelling test is a standard method for assessing skin inflammation.
- This traditional assay primarily measures edema, not the cellular infiltrate.
- A need exists for a quantitative, noninvasive method to evaluate inflammatory cell presence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a quantitative and noninvasive assay for inflammatory cell infiltration in contact dermatitis.
- To create a bioluminescent mouse model for real-time imaging of skin inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Generated a transgenic bioluminescent mouse by crossing myeloid cell-specific Cre-expressing mice with a luciferase reporter strain.
- Light emission from myeloid cells in the mouse ear correlates with inflammatory cell infiltration.
- Quantified luminescence and ear swelling, comparing inflamed to contralateral ears.
Main Results:
- Luminescence intensity showed a strong correlation with dermal inflammatory cell infiltration.
- In mice challenged with squaric acid, luminescence increased 2.2-fold, while swelling increased 1.5-fold.
- Demonstrated the model's ability to detect and quantify inflammatory responses.
Conclusions:
- The developed bioluminescent mouse model offers a valuable screening tool for anti-inflammatory compounds.
- This approach enables real-time, in vivo imaging of specific inflammatory cell migration in the skin.
- Provides a more precise method for studying contact dermatitis and evaluating therapeutic interventions.
