Mapping of a gene responsible for dermatitis in NOA (Naruto Research Institute Otsuka Atrichia) mice, an animal model of allergic dermatitis

The NOA (Naruto Research Institute Otsuka Atrichia) mouse is an animal mode l of allergic or atopic dermatitis, a condition characterized by ulcerative skin lesions with accumulation of mast cells and increased serum IgE. Thes e features of the murine disease closely resemble human atopy and atopic di sorders. We performed linkage analysis in NOA back-cross progeny, as a step toward identifying and isolating a gene responsible for the NOA phenotype. We crossed NOA mice with five other murine strains (C57BL/6J, IQI, C3H/HeJ , DBA/2J, and BALB/cByJ) and then bred back-cross animals. Using microsatel lite markers, we scanned the entire genomes of 559 N2 offspring from the fi ve parental strains. Linkage analysis revealed a significant association be tween ulcerative skin lesions and markers on murine chromosome 14. Statisti cal analysis indicated that the critical region was assigned to the vicinit y of D14Mit236 and D14Mit160.