Contact sensitizer nickel sulfate increases the expression of ICAM-1 and activates the transcription factors NFκB on keratinocytes

Objective To investigate the effects of NiSO_4 on NFκB activity in a human keratinocytes cell line(HaCaT)and the expression of ICAM-1 on cultivated skin in vitro.Methods The activity of NFκB and the expression of ICAM-1 were analyzed by immunochemical staining(LSAB).Results The expression of ICAM-1 on epidermis was significantly increased after treatment with NiSO_4(P0.05);30 min of HaCaT cells exposure to NiSO_4 activated the transcription factor NFκB(P0.01).Conclusion NiSO_4 activates the NFκB pathway and enhances the expression of ICAM-1 on keratinocytes.