Alopecia in IL-10-Deficient Mouse Pups Is c-Kit-Dependent and Can Be Triggered by Iron Deficiency

The study found that alopecia in IL-10-deficient mouse pups is c-kit-dependent and can be triggered by iron deficiency. Alopecia was observed in 18% of first litters from IL-10-deficient females, with all pups in affected litters showing hair loss by postnatal days 17-19. The condition was associated with distorted hair follicles, broken hair shafts, and increased numbers of activated mast cells. Hair regrowth began after weaning, suggesting lactation-related factors. A maternal iron-restricted diet increased alopecia incidence to 100% in pups with mast cells, but mast cell-deficient pups did not develop alopecia. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of c-kit prevented hair loss, indicating mast cells' crucial role in alopecia development. Pups with alopecia had lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and the study suggests further research to understand the mechanisms and relevance to human alopecia.