TNC and atopic eczema: In this study, consistent with the increase of TNC expression in lesioned skin in atopic dermatitis patients, we found TNC gene expression was dramatically increased in lesioned footpads, but was rapidly decreased to similar levels as in healthy footpads of NEG once lesions started to heal on d 22, which indicates upregulation of TNC gene expression is an indicator of footpad skin lesions and the downregulation of TNC gene expression is an indicator of the early phase of wound healing.