Figure 1.

MKP-1^−/− mice are hypersusceptible to imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasiform skin disease. (A) Wild-type (WT) mice were topically treated with IMQ-containing cream or control cream for five consecutive days, and the expression of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) mRNA (Dusp1) in the skin was analyzed by real-time PCR. n = 3 mice per group. (B–E) WT and MKP-1^−/− mice were topically treated with IMQ for five consecutive days. n = 4–6 mice per group. Ear thickness was daily measured using a micrometer to calculate ear swelling (B), and picture was taken on day 5 (C). Histopathological changes in skin tissue were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining (scale bars: 50 µm) (D). Infiltration of indicated cell populations in the epidermis was analyzed by flow cytometry (E,F). Dendritic epidermal T cell (DETC). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Data are representative of two to three independent experiments.