Comparative study of mouse models of atopic dermatitis

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Immunology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a complex, chronic inflammatory skin condition.
• Animal models are vital for understanding AD pathogenesis and developing treatments.
• Current mouse models do not fully replicate human AD's heterogeneity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and evaluate the most suitable mouse models for atopic dermatitis research.
• To systematically review experimental articles on AD mouse models published between 2017 and 2021.
• To provide guidance on selecting appropriate models based on experimental objectives.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of experimental articles (2017-2021).
• Analysis of 614 articles focusing on mouse strains, age, sex, irritants, and modeling duration.
• Comparison of spontaneous and induced atopic dermatitis mouse models.

Main Results:

• BALB/c mice were the most frequently used strain (45.3%).
• Commonly used irritants included 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and Dermatophagoides farinae mite antigen extract (DfE).
• Typical modeling involved 4-8-week-old mice over 21-30 days.

Conclusions:

• No single mouse model perfectly mimics human atopic dermatitis.
• Model selection should align with specific research questions, potentially using multiple models.
• Specific models are recommended for studying T cell differentiation (BALB/c, NC/Nga, flaky tail) and transcriptomics (IL-23 injected mice).