The ability to produce antigen-specific down-regulation of an established immune response was investigated in 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB)-immune mice by delivery of antigen through chemical carcinogen- or ultraviolet B (UVB)-treated skin. When TNCB-immune mice were treated on the dorsal trunk skin with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) followed by TNCB there was an antigen-specific reduction in both contact sensitivity and antibody production. Further, immune mice that received spleen cells from naive syngeneic donors treated with DMBA followed by TNCB also exhibited a reduction in both contact sensitivity and antibody production. In contrast, mice treated with UVB irradiation followed by TNCB had a reduction in contact sensitivity but not antibody production. These results provide evidence that an ongoing immune response can be manipulated by immunization through a modified skin immune system. This may provide a beneficial approach for the treatment of autoimmune disease.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Medical and Health Sciences
Research Group:	Immunology
Research Field:	Cellular Immunology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Other Health
Objective Field:	Health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Chen, YP (Mr Yi Peng Chen)
UTAS Author:	Woods, GM (Professor Gregory Woods)
UTAS Author:	Dandie, GW (Dr Geoffrey Dandie)
UTAS Author:	Muller, HK (Professor Konrad Muller)
ID Code:	9592
Year Published:	1997
Web of Science® Times Cited:	3
Deposited By:	Pathology
Deposited On:	1997-08-01
Last Modified:	2011-08-11
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