Gene expression analysis of the skin in a rat model of the atopic dermatitis, KFRS4/Kyo rat

KFRS4 rats are genetically susceptible to atopic dermatitis (AD) and develop dermatitis with scratching behavior. It is also known as a good model for human AD. We have been conducting pharmacological studies to clarify the pathogenesis of the dermatitis in KFRS4 rats. Specifically, steroids as an immunosuppressant, Hirudoid ointment, a moisturizer, Tacrolimus which suppresses intracellular calcineurin, and JAK which blocks the JAK/STAT pathway were used to evaluate their effects on the suppression of the dermatitis. As a result, it was found that steroids, tacrolimus, and JAK significantly suppressed the dermatitis, but moisturizers did not suppress the dermatitis. This suggests that the immune response is involved in the development of the dermatitis in KFRS4 rats. In this study, we aim to identify genes and signal pathways involved in the onset and treatment of AD by gene expression analysis.