Loss of Zbtb32 in NOD mice does not significantly alter T cell responses.

We previously identified the transcriptional regulator Zbtb32 as a factor that can promote T cell tolerance in the Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) mouse, a model of Type 1 diabetes. Antigen targeted to DCIR2 dendritic cells (DCs) inhibited both diabetes and effector T cell expansion in NOD mice. Furthermore, Zbtb32 was preferentially induced in autoreactive CD4 T cells stimulated by these tolerogenic DCIR2 DCs, and overexpression of Zbtb32 in islet-specific T cells inhibited the diabetes development by limiting T cell proliferation and cytokine production.

Repeated hapten exposure induces persistent tactile sensitivity in mice modeling localized provoked vulvodynia.

Background: Vulvodynia is a remarkably prevalent chronic pain condition of unknown etiology. Epidemiologic studies associate the risk of vulvodynia with a history of atopic disease. We used an established model of hapten-driven contact hypersensitivity to investigate the underlying mechanisms of allergy-provoked prolonged sensitivity to pressure.

Isolation of Infiltrating Leukocytes from Mouse Skin Using Enzymatic Digest and Gradient Separation.

Dissociating murine skin into a single cell suspension is essential for downstream cellular analysis such as the characterization of infiltrating immune cells in rodent models of skin inflammation. Here, we describe a protocol for the digestion of mouse skin in a nutrient-rich solution with collagenase D, followed by separation of hematopoietic cells using a discontinuous density gradient. Cells thus obtained can be used for in vitro studies, in vivo transfer, and other downstream cellular and molecular analyses including flow cytometry.