In epicutaneous vaccination [6,7] as well as in EPIT [8], authors suggest stripping the skin before application of the allergen in order to facilitate the passage through the skin immune system. cytokines in tissue and intestinal villus sub-atrophia (2.9 0.2 vs Sham, 2.1 0.2, p < 0.05). By contrast, EPIT on stripped skin reinforced Th2 systemic immunological response as well as eosinophil infiltration (26.8 15.1), mRNA expression of Th2 cytokines and duodenal villus/crypt-ratio (2.4 0.3). == Conclusions == Epicutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy needs the integrity of superficial layers of the stratum corneum to warranty safety of treatment and to induce a tolerogenic profile of the immune response. Keywords:Food allergy, Immunotherapy, Epicutaneous, Peanut == Background == A new method of allergen-specific immunotherapy, via the epicutaneous route (epicutaneous immunotherapy, EPIT), Arbidol HCl is currently under investigation, using a unique epicutaneous delivery system (Viaskin, DBV Technologies, Paris, France) consisting of a central transparent plastic membrane (11 mm in diameter) of polyethylene electrically charged with electrostatic forces and an adhesive sheath of nonwoven film. Dry powder of proteins is usually maintained around the backing by electrostatic forces. An occlusive chamber is created on the skin that rapidly generates moisture and Rabbit Polyclonal to SFRS17A releases the allergen from its support. The allergen is usually then assimilated by the skin where it interacts with epidermal immune cells [1]. EPIT consists of repeated and prolonged administrations of peanut protein extract on intact skin, allowing to reach the immune system without any risk of massive transcutaneous passage [2]. Some encouraging results in Arbidol HCl children severely allergic to cows milk [1] have been already published as well as several studies on mice sensitized to pollen, ovalbumin, house dust mites and peanuts [2-5]. The preclinical analysis of the different events occurring during EPIT with Viaskin showed that after a prolonged application on intact skin, the allergen is usually taken up by dendritic cells in the superficial layers of the stratum corneum and transported, after internalization, to the draining lymph nodes, with variations according to the previous level of sensitization of the mice [2]. Contrary to stripped skin, when the Viaskin is usually applied on healthy skin, the amount of allergen that passes freely through the skin is very limited and Arbidol HCl the passage of the allergen is mostly intracellular [2]. Arbidol HCl Also, recently, this action was shown to be powerful since it prevented the gastro-intestinal lesions induced by sustained oral exposure in sensitized mice [5]. Interestingly, Viaskin acts through the application of the peanut protein extract on intact skin contrary to all other attempts of EPIT described to date. In epicutaneous vaccination [6,7] as well as in EPIT [8], authors suggest stripping the skin before application of the allergen in order to facilitate the passage through the skin immune system. The aim of the current study was to delineate the role of the skin preparation during EPIT Arbidol HCl in terms of both safety and efficacy. == Methods == == Reagents and mice == Peanut protein extract (PPE) used for sensitization and immunotherapy was purchased from Greer laboratories (Lenoir, NE, USA). The endotoxin content of 100g of peanut protein extract was evaluated below 50 EU (negligible values). Ara h 1 content in 500g of PPE was estimated at 2.8% (ie. 14g) using commercial ELISA kit (Indoor Biotechnologies, Charlottesville, VA, USA) according to the manufacturers instructions. Cholera toxin (CT) was purchased from List Biological Laboratories Inc. (Campbell, CA, USA). Three-week-old female BALB/c mice (Charles River, Lyon, France) were purchased and housed under standard animal husbandry conditions. All.
