A Technique to Assess the Immune Response against an Antigen by Inducing Skin Inflammation

To begin, anesthetize the mouse with an intraperitoneal injection of an anesthetic cocktail, and confirm adequate sedation with a toe pinch test. Next, apply hair removal cream to the dorsal surface of both ears. Wipe it off within a minute and wash the skin with water.

Measure the thickness of the ear where the applications were made using a micrometer. Later, return the mouse in its own cage after it is recovered from the anesthesia, and allow the mouse to rest for at least three days before further testing.

After three days, re-anesthetize the mouse and measure the ear thickness again to make sure it is not irritated. Then, apply 12.5 microliters of 1.25% oxazolone onto each side of the right ear, and apply 12.5 microliters of the acetone-olive oil vehicle solution onto each side of the left ear.

As always, observe the mouse recover from the anesthesia. 24 hours later, measure the thickness of the ear again under anesthesia, to ensure the oxazolone-induced skin inflammation has occurred.