Acute-phase proteins and the serological evaluation of experimental contact sensitivity in the mouse

The evaluation of contact reactions in previously sensitized mice is assessed conventionally by measurement of increases in ear thickness following challenge. In an attempt to develop a serological method for the investigation of contact sensitization in mice, we have examined whether analysis of changes in the concentration of acute-phase proteins in response to challenge provides a reliable alternative means of evaluating elicitation reactions. Measurement of either the relative serum haptoglobin concentration, using radial immunodiffusion, or the absolute concentration of serum amyloid A, by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, has been found to correlate well with induced increases in ear thickness following challenge. Changes in the concentration of acute-phase proteins proved to be of sufficient sensitivity to reflect the specificity of contact sensitization and its inhibition by antigenic competition.