Collaborative multidisciplinary approach to investigation of chemical-induced contact dermatitis

Immune-mediated contact dermatitis induced by chemicals is a complex biologic process, the pathogenesis of which is not completely understood. Some immuno-dermatotoxins also induce direct dermatotoxicity. This pathogenic complexity presents a serious problem if one wishes to screen chemicals for dermatotoxic effect and investigate their pathogenic mechanism. Rapid toxicologic assays such as the mouse ear swelling test are excellent for detecting chemicals that cause contact dermatitis, but are limited for pathogenic investigations. Morphologic pathology is important for determining which pathologic reactions are involved, but is a relatively crude method for investigating immunobiologic mechanisms. Immunobiologic studies are being used for mechanistic investigations, but the relevance of many measured end points to assessment of immunotoxicity is still unclear. A collaborative multidisciplinary approach involving investigators conducting rapid toxicologic screen tests, morphologic pathology and immunobiology studies is proposed as a solution. This approach is based on complementary integration of the disciplines, and considers the advantages and limitations of each specialty.