Integrated Multi-omics Profiling of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced Atopic Dermatitis in Mice Reveals a Coordinated Network of Barrier Dysfunction, Immune Activation, and Metabolic Reprogramming.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is caused by a combination of epidermal barrier defect and immune imbalance. However, the molecular networks between these structural abnormalities and metabolic variations are unclear. This study aim of this research was to examine the concurrent molecular alterations in skin barrier damage and metabolic disorders in an AD-like mouse model by a multi-omics strategy. A 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD-like mouse model was established and the skin tissues were examined through the combination of transcriptomic, quantitative proteomic, and metabolomic analyses. Cross-omics correlation and network analyses were performed to identify consistently abnormal molecular pathways and crucial regulatory molecules. DNCB treatment caused severe epidermal hyperplasia, and prominent infiltration of CD3⁺ T cells, F4/80⁺ macrophages, and mast cells. Transcriptomic and proteomic analysis indicated significant disruption in keratinocyte differentiation, extracellular matrix organization, and cornified envelope formation pathways. Combined analysis detected 171 molecules which were simultaneously altered at both mRNA and protein levels, and network analysis identified FLG2 and KRT6B as central barrier-related molecules. Pathway enrichment analysis consistently showed the participation of AMPK and PPAR signaling pathways. Metabolomic analysis also revealed coordinated changes in lipid and amino acid metabolism which were closely associated with cornified envelope-associated genes and collagen-modifying enzymes. These findings indicate a close relationship between barrier, immune and metabolic regulation in DNCB-induced dermatitis and provide a multi-omics resource for future mechanistic studies of atopic skin inflammation.