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Chemical Compounds
Using our Skimune® assays we can identify sensitive and specific immune responses to chemicals providing valuable insight into their potential for immune sensitisation
Benefits of the Skimune® assay
Detection of relevant cellular immune responses
Validated against novel compounds
Available in combination with complementary assaysNon-animal system
For more information on Skimune® assays and how they can help your business please contact us.
Get in touchCase Study:
Nickel Sulphate analysis using Skimune®
Our assays are able to predict human adverse immune responses to chemicals, by providing a better and improved model of human biology compared to animal models.
An example of this is the evaluation of nickel sulphate using Alcyomics’ Skimune® assay. Nickel sulphate is sometimes used in the manufacture of jewellery and is known to cause rashes such as the ‘ring rash’. When tested in the mouse model (Mouse Local Lymph Node Assay – LLNA) for sensitisation, nickel sulphate was reported as a non-sensitiser. However, in the Skimune® assay (Figure 1) correctly demonstrated that nickel sulphate is a sensitiser.
This study highlights how non-animal models can result in positive prediction of human responses compared to animal models.
This study highlights how interspecies differences can result in false negative results when using animal data alone.
An example of this is the evaluation of nickel sulphate using Alcyomics’ Skimune® assay. Nickel sulphate is sometimes used in the manufacture of jewellery and is known to cause rashes such as the ‘ring rash’. When tested in the mouse model (Mouse Local Lymph Node Assay – LLNA) for sensitisation, nickel sulphate was reported as a non-sensitiser. However, in the Skimune® assay (Figure 1) correctly demonstrated that nickel sulphate is a sensitiser.
This study highlights how non-animal models can result in positive prediction of human responses compared to animal models.
This study highlights how interspecies differences can result in false negative results when using animal data alone.
Figure 1 - Histology showing a grade III positive response (cleft formation on the dermal/epidermal junction represented by black arrows in response to exposure to nickel sulphate). Skin incubated with autologous cells exposed to nickel sulphate showing a grade III positive response. Arrows point to vacuolisation of keratinocytes and cleft formation.
Case Study:
Skimune® can predict adverse immune responses to chemicals
Interpretation of animal data to human responses can be problematic leading to false positive or false negative results. Alcyomics Skimune® assays can add real value to your data and aid in determining human adverse immune responses to chemicals (Figure 2) ensuring accurate prediction.
Figure 2 - Histopathological analysis of chemicals in Skimune®. Skin biopsies were co-cultured with autologous cells which had been previously primed to the chemicals. Skin sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and graded according to the Lerner clinical grading score. Representative images show grade II–III histopathological damage in the skin indicated by black arrows for positive chemicals (A) Cinnimaldehyde grade III; (B) Eugenol grade III; (C) DNCB grade III; and negative chemical (D) Triton-X grade I. See our publication
Ahmed SS, Wang XN, Fielding M, Kerry A, Dickinson I, Munuswamy R, Kimber I, Dickinson AM. An In Vitro human skin test for assessing sensitizing potential. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 2016:36 (5), 669-684. DOI: 10.1002/jat.3197
Ahmed SS, Wang XN, Fielding M, Kerry A, Dickinson I, Munuswamy R, Kimber I, Dickinson AM. An In Vitro human skin test for assessing sensitizing potential. Journal of Applied Toxicology. 2016:36 (5), 669-684. DOI: 10.1002/jat.3197
