Ear Inflammation and Whole-mount Ear Staining

Abstract

The recruitment of circulating neutrophils from the bloodstream to the site of inflammation represents one of the earliest events during an innate immune response. During this response, neutrophils tether and roll along the vessel walls before transmigrating across the endothelium into the interstitial space to exert their functions. Here, we describe a protocol for the staining of intravascular and tissue-localized neutrophils following contact sensitization of the skin with croton oil. Visualization of the neutrophilic distribution in skin provides for a better interpretation of the local immune response.