Method for evaluating the sensitizing potential of a test compound

1. A method for evaluating the sensitizing potential of a test compound, comprising the steps of:

a) contacting a test compound with a biological sample, wherein the biological sample is a skin sample reconstructed in vitro, and said skin sample comprises no Langerhans cells;

b) determining in the contacted skin sample the expression level of at least six genes chosen in the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (cathepsin S), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (heat shock 27 kDa protein), IL18 (IL-18), HSP90 (heat shock 90 kDa protein), IL1R2 (interleukin-1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB1 (defensin, beta 1), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ets homologous factor), IVL (involucrin) KRT4 (keratin 4), MELANA (melan-A), NGAL (lipocalin 2), PDZK1 IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein interaction 1), PI3 (peptidase inhibitor 3), PSME2 (proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor member 3), AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10), AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1), AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 2), SLC7A 11 (solute carrier family 7, Member 11), TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S 100 calcium binding protein A8),

in which the expression level of each of said at least six genes is determined by measuring the expression level of the polypeptide encoded by said at least six genes or a fragment thereof, or by determining the expression level of the mRNA from said at least six genes or a fragment thereof; and

c) comparing the expression level of each of said at least six genes with a reference value,

wherein overexpression of the at least six genes indicates that the test compound has a sensitizing potential.

2. The evaluation method according to claim 1 , comprising an additional step of amplifying the mRNA or cDNA of each of said six genes, the complementary sequence thereof or a fragment thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1 , in which step b) comprises measuring the expression of at least 7 genes selected from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (cathepsin S), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (heat shock 27 kDa protein), IL18 (IL-18), HSP90 (heat shock 90 kDa protein), IL1R2 (interleukin-1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB1 (defensin, beta 1), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ets homologous factor), IVL (involucrin) KRT4 (keratin 4), MELANA (melan-A), NGAL (lipocalin 2), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein interaction 1), PI3 (peptidase inhibitor 3), PSME2 (proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor member 3), AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B 10), AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1), AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 2), SLC7A11 (solute carrier family 7, Member 11), TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8).

4. The method according to claim 1 , in which step b) is performed between 2 and 24 hours after step a).

5. The method according to claim 4 , in which step b) is performed between 4 and 18 hours after step a).

6. The method according to claim 4 , in which step b) is performed between 5 and 7 hours after step a).

7. The method according to claim 4 , in which step b) is performed 6 hours after step a).

8. A method for evaluating the sensitizing power of a test compound, comprising the following steps:

1) obtaining at least one test compound dilution, and

2) determining the sensitizing potential of said test compound at said at least one dilution by a method such as defined according to claim 1 .

9. The method according to claim 1 , in which step b) comprises measuring the expression of at least 8 genes selected from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (cathepsin S), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (heat shock 27 kDa protein), IL18 (IL-18), HSP90 (heat shock 90 kDa protein), IL1R2 (interleukin-1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB1 (defensin, beta 1), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ets homologous factor), IVL (involucrin) KRT4 (keratin 4), MELANA (melan-A), NGAL (lipocalin 2), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein interaction 1), PI3 (peptidase inhibitor 3), PSME2 (proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor member 3), AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10), AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1), AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 2), SLC7A11 (solute carrier family 7, Member 11), TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8).

10. The method according to claim 1 , in which step b) comprises measuring the expression of at least 9 genes selected from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (cathepsin S), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (heat shock 27 kDa protein), IL18 (IL-18), HSP90 (heat shock 90 kDa protein), IL1R2 (interleukin-1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB 1 (defensin, beta 1), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ets homologous factor), IVL (involucrin) KRT4 (keratin 4), MELANA (melan-A), NGAL (lipocalin 2), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein interaction 1), PI3 (peptidase inhibitor 3), PSME2 (proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor member 3), AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B 10), AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1), AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 2), SLC7A11 (solute carrier family 7, Member 11), TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8).

11. The method according to claim 1 , in which step b) comprises measuring the expression of at least 10 genes selected from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (cathepsin S), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (heat shock 27 kDa protein), IL18 (IL-18), HSP90 (heat shock 90 kDa protein), IL1R2 (interleukin-1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB1 (defensin, beta 1), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ets homologous factor), IVL (involucrin) KRT4 (keratin 4), MELANA (melan-A), NGAL (lipocalin 2), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein interaction 1), PI3 (peptidase inhibitor 3), PSME2 (proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor member 3), AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B 10), AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1), AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 2), SLC7A11 (solute carrier family 7, Member 11), TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8).

12. The method according to claim 1 , in which step b) comprises measuring the expression of at least 11 genes selected from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (cathepsin S), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (heat shock 27 kDa protein), IL18 (IL-18), HSP90 (heat shock 90 kDa protein), IL1R2 (interleukin-1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB 1 (defensin, beta 1), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ets homologous factor), IVL (involucrin) KRT4 (keratin 4), MELANA (melan-A), NGAL (lipocalin 2), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein interaction 1), PI3 (peptidase inhibitor 3), PSME2 (proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor member 3), AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B 10), AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1), AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 2), SLC7A11 (solute carrier family 7, Member 11), TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8).

13. The method according to claim 1 , in which step b) comprises measuring the expression of at least 12 genes selected from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (cathepsin S), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (heat shock 27 kDa protein), IL18 (IL-18), HSP90 (heat shock 90 kDa protein), IL1R2 (interleukin-1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB1 (defensin, beta 1), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ets homologous factor), IVL (involucrin) KRT4 (keratin 4), MELANA (melan-A), NGAL (lipocalin 2), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein interaction 1), PI3 (peptidase inhibitor 3), PSME2 (proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor member 3), AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10), AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1), AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 2), SLC7A11 (solute carrier family 7, Member 11), TXNRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8).

14. The method according to claim 1 , in which step b) comprises measuring the expression of at least 13 genes selected from the group consisting of: BRAK (CXC chemokine ligand 14), CTSS (cathepsin S), DAPK2 (death-associated protein kinase 2), FABP4 (fatty acid binding protein 4), HSP27 (heat shock 27 kDa protein), IL18 (IL-18), HSP90 (heat shock 90 kDa protein), IL1R2 (interleukin-1 receptor type II), TPSAB1 (tryptase alpha/beta 1), CXCR1 (interleukin 8 receptor, alpha), DEFB1 (defensin, beta 1), DHFR (dihydrofolate reductase), EHF (ets homologous factor), IVL (involucrin) KRT4 (keratin 4), MELANA (melan-A), NGAL (lipocalin 2), PDZK1IP1 (PDZK1 interacting protein interaction 1), PI3 (peptidase inhibitor 3), PSME2 (proteasome activator subunit 2), SERPINB3 (serpin peptidase inhibitor member 3), AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10), AKR1C1 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C1), AKR1C2 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member C2), CYP1B1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily B, polypeptide 1), FTH1P (ferritin, heavy polypeptide 1), FTL (ferritin, light polypeptide 1), G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase), GCLM (glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), NQO2 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 2), SLC7A11 (solute carrier family 7, Member 11), TX - NRD1 (thioredoxin reductase 1), UGT1A1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A1), UGT1A9 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A9), YWHAZ (tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide), CD36 (CD36 molecule), CYP1A1 (cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1), GCLC (glutamate-cysteine ligase, catalytic subunit), HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1), NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) and S100A8 (S100 calcium binding protein A8).