Alterations in the Cutaneous Immune Response Following Topical Applications of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Kathon CG

Abstract

Preliminary experiments from our laboratory showed that topical applications of various antioxidants, eicosanoids, and neuropeptides can increase or decrease the density (cells/mm²) of identifiable epidermal Langerhans cells (LC). The associated increase or decrease in LCs could be correlated with either enhancement or suppression, respectively, of the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response. The current experiments demonstrated that topical application of a known irritant, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), and the purported sensitizer, Kathon CG, can in 5 days significantly increase the intensity of CHS reactions to 2.4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene (DNFB) as measured using the ear thickness assay.

There was a significant decrease in both immune Ia⁺ phenotypic and nonimmune ATPase⁺ histochemical cell membrane markers following the SLS treatment. Topical Kathon CG caused a directional decrease in Ia⁺and ATPase⁺ epidermal cells. The use of rapid immunohistochemistry assays is discussed as screening methods after exposure to cutaneous immunotoxicants.