Major differences between human atopic dermatitis and murine models, as determined by using global transcriptomic profiling

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is caused by a complex interplay between immune and barrier abnormalities. Murine models of AD are essential for preclinical assessments of new treatments. Although many models have been used to simulate AD, their transcriptomic profiles are not fully understood, and a comparison of these models with the human AD transcriptomic fingerprint is lacking. Objective We sought to evaluate the transcriptomic profiles of 6 common murine models and determine how they relate to human AD skin. Methods Transcriptomic profiling was performed by using microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR on biopsy specimens from NC/Nga, flaky tail, Flg-mutated, ovalbumin-challenged, oxazolone-challenged, and IL-23–injected mice. Gene expression data of patients with AD, psoriasis, and contact dermatitis were obtained from previous patient cohorts. Criteria of a fold change of 2 or greater and a false discovery rate of 0.05 or less were used for gene arrays. Results IL-23–injected, NC/Nga, and oxazolone-challenged mice show the largest homology with our human meta-analysis–derived AD transcriptome (37%, 18%, 17%, respectively). Similar to human AD, robust T_H1, T_H2, and also T_H17 activation are seen in IL-23–injected and NC/Nga mice, with similar but weaker inflammation in ovalbumin-challenged mice. Oxazolone-challenged mice show a T_H1-centered reaction, and flaky tail mice demonstrate a strong T_H17 polarization. Flg-mutated mice display filaggrin downregulation without significant inflammation. Conclusion No single murine model fully captures all aspects of the AD profile; instead, each model reflects different immune or barrier disease aspects. Overall, among the 6 murine models, IL-23–injected mice best simulate human AD; still, the translational focus of the investigation should determine which model is most applicable.