Methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA)-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity in mice

Abstract

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH or type IV hypersensitivity) is defined by T-cell-driven inflammation which occurs only after secondary insult with antigen. Interestingly both Th1, the classical, and Th17, the more recently discovered, proinflammatory lineages have been implicated in disease progression. The duality of DTH makes it an ideal model system for understanding T-cell differentiation, memory cell formation, and the direct effect of treatment regimens on T-cell activation/proliferation. To this end, a protocol for induction and assessment of DTH which triggers memory T-cell (Th1 and Th17) response in the footpad of mice using methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA) is described.