DNFB-DNS hapten-induced colitis in mice should not be considered a model of inflammatory bowel disease5

Abstract

On the basis of these results, although the DNFB/DNS model can display some features found in human UC, it should be considered as a model for the study of the intestinal hypersensitivity seen, for example, during food allergy or irritable bowel syndrome but not intestinal inflammation per se.

Active Colitis Exacerbates Immune Response to Internalized Food Antigens in Mice

“…The DNFB/DNS model in mice induces a transient colitis that extends for 3 days and is associated with a mild intestinal inflammation. The altered immune response induced in this model could be considered an unconventional Th2-biased response with an increase on IL-5, IL-10 and humoral response but also Th1 cytokines such as IFNγ, TNFα or IL-17 after subsequent DNS expositions, similarly to what have been described by other UC models such as dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in mice [27]. …”

“…the robustness and reproducibility of the data obtained, we made the compromise of eliminating the altered intestinal permeability from the equation, despite being aware that by doing so we are limiting the similarities to the complex human situation. Based on this, we selected the DNFB/DNS colitis model because it induces mild inflammation that does not alter mucosal integrity [27], confirmed by the fact that no significant differences were observed in gut permeability to intact proteins. Moreover, the selection of a modified IP OVA-induced allergy model [43] allows the evaluation of an allergic response caused by a specific internalized antigen at the desired concentration, thus reducing the variability and lack of specificity of the induced response.…”

“…In 2 other groups (DNS and OVA + DNS), colitis was induced as previously described [27]. On day 5 (after OVA sensitization), mice were sensitized by epicutaneous administration of DNFB (0.6% in acetone-olive oil 4:1) on the shaved abdomen (50 μl) and on the paws (50 μl divided between the hindlegs).…”

“…Experimental animal models are commonly used to simplify and study complex human pathologies such as allergy or colitis [23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33], and they allow the discovery of interactions and common elements of particular signaling events and molecular pathways. With this aim, we examined the exacerbating or inhibitory potential of active intestinal colitis on the allergic response to an internalized food antigen, using the dinitrofluorobenzene/dinitrosulfonic acid (DNFB/DNS) model of colitis [27] and a well-established model of allergy based on ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneal (IP) sensitization and challenge.…”

“…With this aim, we examined the exacerbating or inhibitory potential of active intestinal colitis on the allergic response to an internalized food antigen, using the dinitrofluorobenzene/dinitrosulfonic acid (DNFB/DNS) model of colitis [27] and a well-established model of allergy based on ovalbumin (OVA) intraperitoneal (IP) sensitization and challenge. The DNFB/DNS model in mice induces a transient colitis that extends for 3 days and is associated with a mild intestinal inflammation.…”