METHOD OF SCREENING INHIBITOR BY USING INDUCTION OF INTERLEUKIN 18 PRODUCTION BY KERATINOCYTE, METHOD OF INDUCING ATOPIC DERMATITIS-LIKE SYMPTOM AND UTILIZATION OF THE SAME

摘要

The present invention provides methods which use induction phenomenon of production of interleukin 18 (IL-18) from keratinocyte (KC), and their usages. The methods are preferably applicable for understanding of pathogenic mechanisms of atopic dermatitis (AD) and AD-like symptoms, and for development of therapeutic drugs for AD and AD-like symptoms. For example, by applying, on skin of mice or the like, protein A (SpA) derived from Staphylococcus aureus, or transplanting, on mice, a skin graft which has developed an inflammatory skin disease like AD, it is possible to reproduce elevation of IgE to high level in serum, which elevation is generated in an AD-like lesion. As a result, it is possible, for example, to screen for an inhibitor which inhibits induction of production of IL-18 from KC.