Lab Anim Res.  2015 Dec;31(4):204-208. 10.5625/lar.2015.31.4.204.

Radiation-induced eosinophilic, polymorphic, and pruritic eruption in a pig skin model

• Kim JS
• Jang WS
• Bae MJ
• Park S
• Lee SS

• KMID: 2312147
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5625/lar.2015.31.4.204

Abstract

Eosinophilic, polymorphic and pruritic eruption associated with radiotherapy (EPPER) can occur in cancer patients after irradiation. In this study, we characterized the clinical and histopathological features of pig skin that developed widespread polymorphic and pruritic skin lesions following localized 50 Gy gamma-irradiation. The pigs developed pruritus 5-7 weeks after irradiation, and infiltration of the dermis by eosinophils was detected 4-7 weeks after irradiation. The irradiated animals also showed transiently increased numbers of peripheral eosinophils 5-7 weeks after treatment. Irradiation induced desquamation after 2-4 weeks, which and the desquamation gradually resolved after 7 weeks. These pathological changes correspond to those seen in irradiated human skin, indicating that this model could be useful for elucidating the pathogenesis of EPPER and for developing therapeutic and prophylactic methods.

Keyword

Radiation; pig; skin; eosinophil; pruritis

MeSH Terms

Animals
Dermis
Eosinophils*
Humans
Pruritus
Radiotherapy
Skin*
Swine

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Clinical changes in the skin of a minipig following a 50 Gy irradiation. A. Focal gamma irradiation (50 Gy) was applied to dorsal skin of mini-pigs. B. Sham (0 Gy) control and C. 35 days after irradiation (50 Gy). D. Time-dependent changes in the skin following irradiation. E. Time-dependent development of pruritus following irradiation. The data is reported as the mean±SEM. *P<0.05 vs. sham controls.

• 

  Figure 2 Histological changes in the skin in a hematoxylin and eosin stained section of minipig skin following a 50 Gy irradiation. A and C Skin section from the sham group representative of normal morphology. B and D Skin section from pigs 35 days after irradiation. Basal cell density and epidermal thickness decreased, and eosinophil infiltration increased in the skin 35 days after irradiation. A and B magnification, ×200. Scale bars in A and B: 50 µm. C and D magnification, ×1000. Scale bars in C and D: 20 µm. Time-dependent changes in basal cell density (E), epidermal thickness (F), and the number of dermal (G) and peripheral (H) eosinophils in minipig skin following acute irradiation.. The data is reported as the mean±SEM. *P<0.05 vs. sham controls.

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