Hyperproduction of IFN-γ by CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide-Induced Exacerbation of Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesion in Some NC/Nga Mice

Under conventional conditions, NC/Nga mice spontaneously develop an atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesion accompanied by immunoglobulin E (IgE) hyperproduction and the expression of T helper 2 (Th2) cytokines. CpG DNA activates a strong interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-dominated T helper 1 (Th1) response, while inhibiting Th2-dependent allergies. In this study, we examined whether CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) could prevent the development of the skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Sixteen of 26 NC/Nga mice did not exhibit dermatitis after CpG ODN was administered intraperitoneally every 2 wk for a total of five times. CpG ODN administration induced IFN-gamma production, which inhibited the production of Th2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13) in both spleen and lymph node cells and culminated in a decrease in the serum IgE level. These data suggest that the CpG ODN has a therapeutic effect against AD; however, some mice (10 of 26) treated with CpG ODN exhibited an exacerbation of dermatitis accompanied by the hyperproduction of IFN-gamma, although Th2 cytokines were suppressed. These results suggest that the suppression of Th2 cytokines may not completely prevent dermatitis and that IFN-gamma may play a role in developing dermatitis in some NC/Nga mice.