New insights into the pathomechanisms of contact dermatitis by the use of transgenic mouse models

Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is one of the most common skin diseases w ith a great socioeconomic impact. Although extensively studied, its pathoph ysiology and the interaction of different cells and factors which lead to s ensitization and elicitation reaction are still not completely understood, The advent of transgenic mouse technology has considerably changed the stud y of ACD. This technology has been used extensively to investigate biomedic ally important issues in such diverse areas as mammalian development, neuro physiology and immunology. This new approach has already led to fascinating results which are confirmatory but also contradictory to previous thinking on the role of certain cytokines, adhesion and cell surface molecules in t he complex pathophysiologic process of ACD. This review will describe how r ecent experiments employing mice carrying cytokine and accessory molecule t ransgenes change our current understanding of contact dermatitis which may lead to improved therapeutic strategies, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, B asel.