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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Administration, Topical, Animals, Antigens, Dermatophagoides, CD4 Antigens, Dermatitis, Atopic, Disease Models, Animal, Female, Flow Cytometry, Immunohistochemistry, Immunosuppressive Agents, Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1, Interferon-gamma, Interleukin-1, Interleukin-4, Lymph Nodes, Mice, Mice, Inbred Strains, Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms, Tacrolimus, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha, Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1.
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Does topical application of FK506 ( tacrolimus ) ointment inhibit mite antigen-induced dermatitis by local action in NC/Nga mice? Context: FK506 ointment (tacrolimus ointment, protopic) is a new drug therapeutically effective for patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). However, the mechanism of action of FK506 ointment on AD is not fully understood. We examined the effect of FK506 ointment on mite antigen-induced dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. Clinical symptoms and ear thickness were recorded, and histopathological studies and in vitro analyses were performed. Topical application of FK506 ointment (0.03-0.3%) suppressed the development of dermatitis. In the lesional skin, both interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma were detected, even though the IL-4+/IFN-gamma- T helper 2 (Th2) population was predominant in the regional lymph nodes (LNs). Topical application of FK506 treatment reduced the elevated level of both IL-4 and IFN-gamma in the skin, but did not decrease the expansion of the Th2 population in the LNs.
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Topical application of FK506 ointment suppresses dermatitis by inhibiting the activation of inflammatory cells locally, without systemic immune suppression, in this AD model. Final Decision: yes