Decreased expression of MHC class II and cathepsin E in dendritic cells might contribute to impaired induction of antigen-specific T cell response in NC/Nga mice.

NC/Nga (NC) mice are an animal model for human atopic dermatitis. We found that induction of antigen (Ag)-specific T cell response is diminished in ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized NC mice. Ability of Ag presentation in NC mouse dendritic cells (DCs) was significantly weaker than that in BALB/c and DBA/2 mouse DCs.