Topical application of ERK inhibitor alleviates the clinical symptoms of mite antigen-induced AD in NC/Nga mice. (A) Schema of induction of mite antigen-induced AD-like murine model. After 2 h treated with 4% SDS, mite antigen, Dermatophagoides farinae extract (Biostir AD®), was epicutaneously applied to the upper back and ear skin of mice twice a week for three weeks to develop AD. These mice were then topically treated with ERK inhibitor or vehicle for 7 days on the same site. (B) Macroscopic features of skin lesions of control, AD, and AD + U0126 groups on day 0 and 6. (C,D) Total dermatitis score (C) and all dermatitis scores such as erythema, dryness, edema, and excoriation (D) were assessed on day 0, 2, 4, and 6. All data are presented as mean ± S.E.M. (n = 9 per group). * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001 Student’s unpaired two-tailed t-test on each day.