Allergy‐inducing nickel concentration is lowered by lipopolysaccharide at both the sensitization and elicitation steps in a murine model

Summary Background  Nickel (Ni) is the major cause of contact allergy. We previously found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a cell‐surface component of Gram‐negative bacteria) markedly promotes Ni allergy in a murine model. Establishing the minimum concentration or amount of Ni needed to induce allergic responses may help us to prevent or reduce such responses. Objectives  Using the above murine model, we examined the influence of LPS on the minimum allergy‐inducing concentrations of Ni (Ni‐MAICs) at the sensitization step and at the elicitation step. Methods  BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of a mixture containing various concentrations of LPS and NiCl 2 . Ten days later, their ear pinnas were challenged intradermally with a mixture containing various concentrations of LPS and NiCl 2 , and ear swelling was measured. Results  Without LPS, the Ni‐MAICs at the sensitization and elicitation steps were around 1 × 10 −2  mol L −1 and 1 × 10 −5  mol L −1 , respectively. Sensitization with NiCl 2  + LPS did not alter the value at elicitation. Surprisingly, LPS markedly reduced these Ni‐MAICs (to around 1 × 10 −6  mol L −1 at sensitization, with 25 μg mL −1 LPS, and 1 × 10 −12  mol L −1 at elicitation, with 0·5 μg mL −1 LPS). The effect of LPS depended on its concentration and the timing of its injection. Conclusions  Our findings suggest that: (i) Ni‐MAIC is higher at sensitization than at elicitation; (ii) once sensitization is established, Ni allergy can easily be induced by a low concentration of Ni; and (iii) a bacterial milieu or infection may greatly facilitate the establishment and elicitation of Ni allergy.