Method for detection of biological factors in epidermis

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for removing polynucleotide from the skin. This polynucleotide can be used to detect dermatitis and distinguish an irritant reaction from an allergic reaction by characterizing the polynucleotide according to the polypeptide which it encodes. Additionally, provided are methods for non-invasive isolation of samples from the skin as well as kits for use in the methods provided herein.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of identifying a compound which causes a dermatitis, comprising 
 contacting a section of skin with the compound under conditions which would induce a dermatitis and detecting a polynucleotide encoding a cytokine wherein the presence of the polynucleotide is indicative of a dermatitis.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is an allergen.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the compound is an irritant.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dermatitis is allergic contact dermatitis (ACD).  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dermatitis is irritant contact dermatitis (ICD).  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the skin is contacted in vitro.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the skin is contacted in vitro.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising isolating polynucleotides from the skin.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the polynucleotides are DNA or RNA.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising quantifying a polynucleotide encoding IL-4, wherein an elevated amount of IL-4 is indicative of ACD.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising quantifying a polynucleotide encoding a cytokine selected from the group consisting of IL-4 and IL-8 in cells isolated from the subject, wherein the amount of IL-4 or IL-8 is indicative of ICD.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein an increase in IL-8 in the absence of IL-4 is indicative of ICD.