Experimental studies on TDI dermatitis in mice

Allergic contact dermatitis occurred with 2, 4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in BALB/c mice. The results were obtained by the measurement of the ear thickness after challenged to the ear with 1% TDI in olive oil in mice previously sensitized with 5% TDI. The ear swelling rate at 48 hr postchallenge in sensitized mice was more than twice of that in unsensitized mice. In BALB/c-nu/nu (nude) mice, delayed type hypersensitivity could not be induced even when a 30% TDI solution was applied. These results suggest that T cells may play an essential role in contact sensitivity to TDI in BALB/c mice.