[Analysis of contact dermatitis by cytokines. II]

We examined the mechanism of the onset of contact hypersensitivity reaction (CHR) induced by several kinds of chemical substances in mice, focusing on cytokines. Before doing this experiment, we investigated the involvement of T cells in the formation of CHR using each primer of CD4 and CD8 (surface markers of lymphocytes) positive cells. It was suggested that both cells participate in the formation of CHR. On the basis of these results we analyzed cytokines produced in the reaction site on the mRNA level in with or without the presensitization of two kinds of strong contactants. Consequently, there was a tendency that the expression of mRNA of Th1 types of cytokines was commonly observed around 24 h after the reaction irrespective of the presence or the absence of presensitization. These date suggested that CHR can be presumed on the genetic level by the only one priming of strong contactants.