Fig. 1

T lymphocytes contribute partly to skin inflammation but not persistent itch. a, e, i Schematic experimental protocol in a was used to test the effect of pretreatment with vehicle (acetone) or SADBE on ear thickness increment (e) and spontaneous scratching (i) induced by subsequent elicitation of SADBE. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. NS, not significant. Asterisks indicate statistical significance. *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001, ANOVA; b, f, j Pre-sensitization and subsequent elicitation with SADBE (schematic protocol in b) induced comparable ear thickness increment (f) and spontaneous scratching (j) between wt and Rag1 ^−/− mice. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. NS, not significant, Student’s t-test; c, g, k Pre-sensitization and subsequent elicitation with SADBE (schematic protocol in c) elicited comparable ear thickness increment (g) and spontaneous scratching (k) between wt mice treated with either control mouse IgGs or anti-NK1.1. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. NS, not significant, Student’s t-test; d, h, l The Rag1 ^−/− mice received injections of anti-NK1.1 antibodies had significantly less ear thickness increment vs. Rag1 ^−/− mice receiving only control mouse IgGs (h) after pre-sensitization and subsequent elicitation with SADBE (schematic protocol in d) but the spontaneous scratching behaviors were comparable between Rag1 ^−/− mice receiving anti-NK1.1 and control mouse IgGs (l). Data are presented as mean ± SEM. NS, not significant. Asterisks indicate statistical significance. **p < 0.01, Student’s t-test