Research Techniques Made Simple: Mouse Models of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by impaired barrier function, eczematous dermatitis, and chronic pruritus. Mouse models have been heavily used to deepen our understanding of complicated disease mechanisms in AD and to provide a preclinical platform before performing clinical interventional research on novel therapeutic agents in humans. However, what aspects of human AD these mouse AD models faithfully recapitulate is insufficiently understood. We categorized mouse AD models into three groups: (i) inbred models, (ii) genetically engineered mice in which genes of interest are overexpressed or deleted in a specific cell type, and (iii) models induced by topical application of exogenous agents. To maximize benefits from current murine AD models, understanding the strengths and limitations of each model is essential when selecting a system suitable for a specific research question. We describe known and emerging AD mouse models and discuss the usefulness and pitfalls of each system. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by impaired barrier function, eczematous dermatitis, and chronic pruritus. Mouse models have been heavily used to deepen our understanding of complicated disease mechanisms in AD and to provide a preclinical platform before performing clinical interventional research on novel therapeutic agents in humans. However, what aspects of human AD these mouse AD models faithfully recapitulate is insufficiently understood. We categorized mouse AD models into three groups: (i) inbred models, (ii) genetically engineered mice in which genes of interest are overexpressed or deleted in a specific cell type, and (iii) models induced by topical application of exogenous agents. To maximize benefits from current murine AD models, understanding the strengths and limitations of each model is essential when selecting a system suitable for a specific research question. We describe known and emerging AD mouse models and discuss the usefulness and pitfalls of each system. CME Activity Dates: 19 April 2019Expiration Date: 18 April 2020Estimated Time to Complete: 1 hourPlanning Committee/Speaker Disclosure: All authors, planning committee members, CME committee members and staff involved with this activity as content validation reviewers have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose relative to the content of this CME activity.Commercial Support Acknowledgment: This CME activity is supported by an educational grant from Lilly USA, LLC.Description: This article, designed for dermatologists, residents, fellows, and related healthcare providers, seeks to reduce the growing divide between dermatology clinical practice and the basic science/current research methodologies on which many diagnostic and therapeutic advances are built.Objectives: At the conclusion of this activity, learners should be better able to:•Recognize the newest techniques in biomedical research.•Describe how these techniques can be utilized and their limitations.•Describe the potential impact of these techniques.CME Accreditation and Credit Designation: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Beaumont Health and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. Beaumont Health is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Beaumont Health designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.Method of Physician Participation in Learning Process: The content can be read from the Journal of Investigative Dermatology website: http://www.jidonline.org/current. Tests for CME credits may only be submitted online at https://beaumont.cloud-cme.com/RTMS-May19 – click ‘CME on Demand’ and locate the article to complete the test. Fax or other copies will not be accepted. To receive credits, learners must review the CME accreditation information; view the entire article, complete the post-test with a minimum performance level of 60%; and complete the online evaluation form in order to claim CME credit. The CME credit code for this activity is: 21310. For questions about CME credit email [email protected] CME Activity Dates: 19 April 2019 Expiration Date: 18 April 2020 Estimated Time to Complete: 1 hour Planning Committee/Speaker Disclosure: All authors, planning committee members, CME committee members and staff involved with this activity as content validation reviewers have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose relative to the content of this CME activity. Commercial Support Acknowledgment: This CME activity is supported by an educational grant from Lilly USA, LLC. Description: This article, designed for dermatologists, residents, fellows, and related healthcare providers, seeks to reduce the growing divide between dermatology clinical practice and the basic science/current research methodologies on which many diagnostic and therapeutic advances are built. Objectives: At the conclusion of this activity, learners should be better able to:•Recognize the newest techniques in biomedical research.•Describe how these techniques can be utilized and their limitations.•Describe the potential impact of these techniques. CME Accreditation and Credit Designation: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of Beaumont Health and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. Beaumont Health is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Beaumont Health designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Method of Physician Participation in Learning Process: The content can be read from the Journal of Investigative Dermatology website: http://www.jidonline.org/current. Tests for CME credits may only be submitted online at https://beaumont.cloud-cme.com/RTMS-May19 – click ‘CME on Demand’ and locate the article to complete the test. Fax or other copies will not be accepted. To receive credits, learners must review the CME accreditation information; view the entire article, complete the post-test with a minimum performance level of 60%; and complete the online evaluation form in order to claim CME credit. The CME credit code for this activity is: 21310. For questions about CME credit email [email protected] Benefits•Mouse AD models are valuable tools used to deepen mechanistic insight into disease pathogenesis and to develop novel therapeutic agents in AD.•Recent advances in genetic engineering have accelerated our understanding of the biological significance of targeted genes in vivo.Limitations•Each animal model reflects limited aspects of human AD.•There remains a considerable translational gap between AD mouse models and human AD. •Mouse AD models are valuable tools used to deepen mechanistic insight into disease pathogenesis and to develop novel therapeutic agents in AD.•Recent advances in genetic engineering have accelerated our understanding of the biological significance of targeted genes in vivo. •Each animal model reflects limited aspects of human AD.•There remains a considerable translational gap between AD mouse models and human AD.