Defolliculated (Dfl): A Dominant Mouse Mutation Leading to Poor Sebaceous Gland Differentiation and Total Elimination of Pelage Follicles

The study investigated the Defolliculated (Dfl) mutation in mice, which caused poor sebaceous gland differentiation and complete loss of pelage and tail hair follicles. This mutation, mapped to chromosome 11, led to abnormal sebaceous gland function, shorter hair shafts, and increased immune cell presence in the skin. Hair follicles failed to regress properly, resulting in their eventual elimination by necrosis after two to three hair cycles. The Dfl mutation was considered a valuable model for studying sebaceous gland functions, hair follicle immunology, and the regulation of catagen, with potential involvement of WNT signaling pathways and inflammatory responses in hair follicle destruction. The study was supported by Cancer Research U.K. and the Wellcome Trust.