Open AccessNickel: Intrinsic Skin Sensitization Potency and Relation to Prevalence of Contact Allergy
Author(s) -
David A. Basketter
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 2162-5220
pISSN - 1710-3568
DOI - 10.1097/der.0000000000000666
Subject(s) - potency , sensitization , skin sensitization , medicine , nickel allergy , contact allergy , allergy , allergen , allergic contact dermatitis , in vivo , immunology , contact dermatitis , toxicology , pharmacology , in vitro , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry
Nickel remains the most commonly identified contact allergen. However, it has proven difficult to demonstrate significant skin-sensitizing activity for nickel in toxicology tests, which typically have indicated a weak skin sensitization potential. Information indicates that in vivo assays are not predictive of dermal sensitization hazard or potency for nickel due to a human-specific mechanistic route for nickel sensitization that animals lack. A similar rationale will apply to in vitro alternatives-although these currently have limited ability to determine intrinsic potency. Generally, in silico methods are not designed for metal allergens and cannot contribute to the analysis. For ethical reasons, human experimental work has been limited, with a single study suggesting moderate potency. Accordingly, it seems reasonable to conclude that the high frequency of contact allergy to nickel in humans is a function of both its intermediate potency coupled with a high level of dermal exposure, particularly to damaged/inflamed skin.